
Class 32 Jfc2^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



fn^ms 



By ALEXANDER STREETER ARNOLD 

WOONSOCKET, R. I. 



WRITTEN IN PLAIN, SIMPLE, UNPRETENTIOUS AMERICAN ENGLISH, THAT THE 
AVERAGE READER MAY EASILY COMPREHEND THE AUTHOR'S SENTIMENTS 



ILLUSTRATED 



1913 

Copyright, SBHI^ by J. G. Williams 



WILLIAMS' BOOK STORES, INC, 

Publishers 

349 Washington Street 
Boston, Mass. 



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3^ 









©CLAIMS 087 5 



PREFACE TO MR. ARNOLD'S POEMS. 

Being strongly urged by his friends, this volume 
of poems is issued. 

From boyhood Mr. Arnold has been a great admirer 
of Shakespeare's Plays and Burns's Poems. But 
considers the Book of Job the superior of all other 
literary productions. 

He greatly enjoyed Scott's Poems and Novels. 
Ivanhoe and Scottish Chiefs were the first two novels 
he read in boyhood. He also greatly enjoyed Field- 
ing, Dickens, Stowe and Cooper's novels. Yet next 
to the Bible the book which exerted the greatest 
influence upon his life was J. T. Trowbridge's lovely 
Father Brighthopes. 

Pope and several other poets he considers too 
ornate; but admires Tom Moore and Lord Byron's 
Poems because of their directness while Cowper's John 
Gilpin fascinated and delighted him. 

Mr. Arnold has always endeavored to clothe all his 
literary productions in plain, simple American English, 
easily comprehended by the average English speaking 
individual, and has always aimed to exert a good, 
Christian influence. 

Poems like Moses, Samson and Lincoln were written 
in 3 or 4 weeks each; but 3 to 4 months were spent 
upon each in revising. The longest time spent upon 
any poem was in writing and revising Joab at the 
Battle of Medeba. The short poems were the inspira- 
tion of the day. 



BRIEF SKETCH OF MR. ARNOLD'S LIFE. 
He was born September 30, 1829, in North Smithfield, R. I. 
His first recollection was taking large doses of calomel 
which nearly caused his death and he saw not one day of 
robust health until 50 years of age. Yet he took care of a 
smallpox patient who died, but Mr. A. was never vaccinated 
and failed to contract the disease. 

Mr. Arnold was afflicted with Scrofula for 16 years, there 
being a painful scrofula swelling, each side of his neck, the 
size of his fist. But without a particle of medicin-. both 
swellings disappeared by follorwing the dietary rules of 
Moses. And the prime of :his life was from 62 to 70. 
But from overwork and exposure his health gave way in 
1910, when 80 years of age. 

Without being consulted he was apprenticed at 16 to learn 
the turners trade. But at the end of five years, broken down 
in health, he attended the Suffield Seminary to study the 
higher branches. He then taught school after which he was 
head bookkeeper of the Peoples Bank for ten years when 
his health again gave way; but he resigned and gained his 
health by purchasing and rurning a stable which he sold out, 
and began keeping the books of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth 
Co., and at the end of five years had risen to the Superintend- 
ency oi the mill which position he held for six years when 
he ^resigned and abandoned all labor, expecting to die. But 
to occupy his time he edited and published a weekly paper 
for a few years, and regained health. 

Was President and Treasurer of the Dr. Seth Arnold 
Medical Corporation for three years and a half; then the 
corporation was sold to the Eastern Drug Co., when Mr. 
Arnold was offered and accepted the agency of the Dr. Seth 
Arnold Estate consisting of a grocery store building and a 
number of tenements, which position he still occupies. 

Mr. Arnold was married, August 12, 1858, to. Miss Eleanor 
J. Pierce of Woonsocket. 

Having no children the couple adopted Miss Lucy A. Cook, 
daughter of Albertus rnd Ann W. (Haven) Cook, whose 
death proved a said afifliction. 

NOTES ON THE FOREGOING. 
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold observed the Fifty-Third Anniversary of 
their wedding day August 12, 1911. Mr. Arnold is 82 and Mrs. Arnold 
81 years of age. 

To obtain his supplementary education at the Suffield Seminary 
Mr. A. united with 3 other students and the auartette hired a room 
and took turns cooking. The rent, books, tuition and food cost $20 
«er month, being $5 per month each. 



During his 5 years' work at turning his average earnings were 
about 80 cents per day and the hours of labor about 13. 

Mr. Arnold was Superintendent of the Pawtucket Universalist 
Sunday School for three years and ten months when he resigned and 
removed to Valley Falls to start a mission which was opened 1866 
in Public Hall where the School was held, and Preaching by various 
clergymen one Sunday and a Temperance meeting the next. 

On the last Sunday in May, 1912, Mr. A. had served as Super- 
intendent of the Valley Falls Sunday School for 46 years and 2 months, 
thus completing his SO years as a Sunday School Superintendent. 

For several years nobody seemed to judge that the Mission 
would succeed ; but a chapel was built in 1870 and the church was 
erected in 1885, and the Parish now owns a $10,000 Church Edifice, 
$4,500 in invested funds and $500 for use as running expenses. 

A great advantage to health was his traveling in 19 states as 
advertiser and selling agent for the Dr. Seth Arnold Medical Corp. 

A remark that made a profound and lasting impression upon the 
mind of Mr. A. was uttered by Rev. Dr. John C. Adams: "Had 

Rev. believed in a Good God what an immense influence for good 

he would have made." 

For many years Mr. Arnold has defended the goodness of our 
Heavenly Father against every charge, and has stood for a victorious 
Saviour and the unceasing and unending influence of the Holy Spirit 
upon every heart. 

Mr. Arnold is the author of several story books with others in 
contemplation and at the age of 82.. strongly urged by his friends, he 
issues this volume as a 

GIFT BOOK. 



CONTENTS OF VOLUME. 
Page. 

147 Battle of Manila Bay- 
SB Birds' Concert 

123 Brazen Bell 

96 Brown Curls 
173 Battle Hymn of Anti-Vivisection 

63 Cortes' Conquest of Mexico 
133 Clara's Dream 
131 Christian Faith 
100 Creeds of the Bells 
157 Creation 

177 Creed of the Ninety and Nine 
161 Could I But Live My EarMi Life O'er 
163 Doing Good to Others 

150 Death of a Friend 
127 Entering Heaven 

93 Farmer Boy's Courtship 

148 Gates of Heaven Never Closed 
170 Glory, Hallelujah Service 

121 God's Bell 
175 Gone Are the Days 
35 Harrold HoUandsberg 

151 Hundredth Birth-Day 

173 Hark the Bells of Heaven 
85 Invasion of Valley Falls 

166 In the Long-Run 
83 Jake's Mishap 
11 Joshua's Dying Soldier 
14 Joab at the Battle of Medeba 

168 Jehovah God Shall Be My Rock 

155 Kingdom of Our God 
50 Lincoln, Abraham 

106 Moses the Man of God 

94 May Brown 

135 Old Fellows Anniversary 

174 O Where, Tell Me Where 

97 Plant Only Good Seed 
150 Peacemakers 

126 Promised Resurrection 

169 Prodigal Son 

95 Pleasure of Farming 

20 Samson, Champion-Judge 

98 Spiritual Realm 
176 Sabbath Bells 

154 Star of Bethlehem 

91 Spider and the Fly 
140 Storm at Sea 
153 Sometimes I seem to Hear 
144 Storm and Wreck 
124 *Tis the Life That Tells 

87 Town of Punkwood 

89 Three Cheers for Good Rotgut 
152 Take This for Your Motto 
160 Victor Came 

156 Where is Thy Home? 
158 When Storms Arise 



THE DYING SOLDIER OF JOSHUA. 
Written to Portray the Sentiments of the Conquerors of Palestine. 

By Alexander Streeter Arnold, 

Author of "Cortes' Conquest of Mexico," "Samson," "Harold 

HoUandsberg," numerous other poems and four story books. 

Copyright, 1908, by Hebrew Standard. 

A veteran of Joshua was breathing out his last. 

The crimson tide was flowing out and life was ebbing fast, 

And yet upon his dying face a look exultant shone 

As he heard shouts of victory upon the zephyrs blown; 

For tho he lay all helpless there beneath the tenting sky 

I-Iis soul was filled with thankful joy suppressing every sigh. 

An hiur before in fierce assault his strokes had counted well. 

His weapon wielding to the last ; yea, fighting as he fell ; 

And now, as he lay dying there upon the bloody field, 

His right hand clutched his weapon and the left his leathern shield. 

But who approaches? Who bends o'er the dying soldier's head? 
Is it a vile idolater to mock and strip the dead ? 



11 



No, no; but his dear soldier friend! Ah, this indeed is joy! 

For they had come from Egypt's land, when each was but a boy, 

And through the sea together went and on the other side 

Beheld their foul pursuers sink beneath the whelming tide ; 

For God's winds swayed the Red Sea waves on that eventful morn, 

And Isr'el trod the causeway safe and Liberty was born ! 

While Egypt's horse and rider sank, God's Israel passed o'er 

And sang their great deliverance upon the farther shore ; 

And then the boys, through dreary lands, to Sinai trod the way 

Till reaching manhood's prime they fought led on by Joshua. 

The boys had heard the wondrous tales of patriarchs of old. 
How Joseph down to Egypt's land w^as carried and there sold. 
And how he rose from slavery to stand before the king. 
Who robed him ruler of his realm and gave his signet ring; 
How Joseph for his father sent and all his father's band, 
And gave them pastures rich and fair in Goshen's favored land ; 
How Jacob's household, seventy, with riches vast then came, 
Ten thousand numbered Jacob's flocks, a thousand men his train ; 
And how the Israelites became a nation strong and great 
Till Rameses, the mighty king, enslaved them to his state ; 
For Israel's friends, the shepherd kings, had been in war o'erthrown 
By other line of kings to whom great Joseph was unknown ; 
And then how Ad^oses strangely saved by daughter of the king; 
How when he into power came all to him honors bring; 
How he was taught of Israel at his dear mother's knee, 
To visit his own people and from bondage set them free ; 
But, forced to flee to Midian, he dwelt there forty years 
And then returned to Eg}^pt's land with many doubts and fears ; 
Yet he delivered Israel from sore oppression's rod 
And safely led them through the sea and to the mount of God ; 
He guided them full forty years till every rebel died, 
Until their sons, as warriors true, became the nation's pride 
And now the dying soldier lay exultant in his death ; 
For would he not a victor die with his expiring breath? 
"Tell me, my comrade," murmured he, "before my life be spent : 
Yea, tell me how the contest raged and how the battle went." 

His comrade kissed him 'mid his tears and then began his tale : 
"We chased them like a flock of goats, right over hill and dale; 
For tho the heathen faced our men to make a valiant stand. 
Yet at the voice of Joshua, as he gave us command. 



]2 



They fled like fearful, trembling sheep at sound of lion's roar, 
While we pursued and smote them hard until the fight was o'er; 
And when you fell with weapon broke to wield the sword no more, 
1 smote the pagan to the dust and left him in his gore. 
Then how we scaled the city walls, and 'mid confusion dire. 
We smote the heathen on all sides and slew both son and sire ! 
'Tis true these seemed like sinful deeds, to fill the heart with shame, 
To cut down boys like you and me when we from Egypt came ; 
But 'twas like smiting pois'nous asp and then in vengeful mood 
But little mercy showed we as we crushed the serpent's brood! 
For what could we with Sodomites or worshippers of Baal 
But rid the land of such vile hordes with few to tell the tale? 
And what could we with Moloch's fiends, who worship at his shrine, 
And roast to death their girls and boys and call such rites divine? 
Yea, what with Ashtaroth's vile harlots steeped in lep'rous crime? 
Why, as we struck the wantons down, the stroke seemed half divine! 
The Lord of hosts was with us and the God of Jacob's aid 
Gave us the glor'ous victory and sharpened spear and blade ! 
The land is ours ! and nought can stay our march o'er city walls ! 
Nor bow, nor spear, nor pagan hordes prevent their utter fall ! 
Yea, even those proud Jebusites shall fall beneath our rod. 
And strong Jerusalem become the city of our God ! 
The splendor of our nation's sheen what prophet's tongue can tell ? 
The glory of our people and the God of Israel? 
The stars above shall sparkle on, the pale moon shed her light, 
The sun shall rise in majesty, dispelling darkest night ; 
Yea, earth and sky and all therein proclaim our Maker's grace, 
And glory, honor, power and praise shall come to Israel's race !" 

A veteran of Joshua was breathing out his last. 

The crimson tide was flowing out and life was ebbiing fast. 

And yet upon his dying face a look exultant shone ; 

As shouts of victory arose upon the zephyrs borne ; 

And as his comrade kissed him there and closed his warrior tale 

A glow of life's departing flame lit up the face so pale : 

'Twas like the candle's fitful glow, the last expiring gleam ; 

The soldier raised his broken blade ere crossiing death's cold stream ; 

'"Fight on!" he said, "my comrade true, the God of battles trust! 

The Lord of hosts be with you all. when I return to dust. 

The gates are lifted high." He ceased, his arm sank to his side, 
And with a ling'ring look of joy the Hebrew soldier died. 



13 



JOAB AT THE BATTLE OF MEDEBA, 

By Alexander S. Arnold, 
Woonsocket, R. I. 

Altho vastly outnumbered at Medeba by Syrians and 
Ammonites, the Israelites under Joab achieved one of the 
most signal victories recorded in history. — 2 Sam. XI : 9-14. 

Joab's title was "Prince of the Army" and <n his day he 
Vy/as the greatest military chieftan of the world. He should 
rank with Joshua, Alexander, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Crom- 
well, Xapoleon and Grant. 

His faith in Ciod never wavered (2 Sam. X.XTV: 2-4) 
and he lost not one of his hundred battles. 

On Medeba's fair plain and waving meads 
Three mighty armies moved like some deep flood, 

Expecting signal triumph through brave deeds. 

While drenching fields and vales with human blood ; 

And flashing spears and crests reflect the light 

But none inight tell how many fall ere night. 

On Israel's right in ranks on ranks, appear 

The boasted Syrian host in purple gay, 
With chariot and horseman, bow and spear, 

Nor doubting issue of the coming fray ; 
Their champing steeds, bedecked with trappings bright. 
Necks clothed with thunder, ready for the fight. 

And marshalled nn the left a countless host 
That seemed to rob all Amnion of her men 

Whose sounding war cries rose in vaunting bcxist 
To strew the field with Israelites, and when. 

Amid the awful carnage, triumphs sh^ut 

And chase the fleeins: Israelites wild n)ut. 



u 



Yet Joab's men were marshalled on the plain 
With waving banners in the morning sun, 

And nodding plumes were scattered through the train 
O'er veterans well scarred through vic'tries won ; 

But right and left confronting hordes so vast 

That even Joab's soldiers well might stand aghast. 

But chief among his warriors Joab stood 
All Israel's hope and pride, whose iron will 

Unyielding e'en as when in lustihood 
He led against the Jebusites' strong hill 

His forlorn hope in all his manhood's power, 

And stormed and took Jerusalem's high towers. 

He lifted up his head with kingly glance, 
And confident his gaze that all might see ; 

While warriors firmer grasped the sword and lance, 
With faith that o'er them hovered victory ; 

Their chief, the hero of a hundred fights ; 

Aye, but for Joab, where were Isr'el's might ? 

Then Joab waved his blade and raised his voice ; 

"Stand like massive rock 'gainst Syria's host! 
And warriors with Abshai rejoice! 

Let not vain Ammon make one future boast !" 
And as the chieftain spake his voice rang out 
With ringing vigor and exultant shout : — 

"Trust in the Lord of hosts! Quit ye like men! 

Yea, battle for the cities of our God ; 
For he shall give us victory again 

And chariots and horsemen feel his rod ; 
Lift up your towering heads, ye lofty gates ! 
The Lord of hosts, the King of glory waits. 

"Fear not vile worshippers of wood and stone ; 

Fear not their numbers tho they seem a deluge; 
But teach these heathen, God is God alone ; 

The mighty God of Jacob is our refuge ! 
Dread sheol widely yawns for their doomed host ; 
For none this day save Israel shall boast ! 



15 



"Philistia's lords were once in mail atlired ; 

Yet now are they as tho they had not been ; 
O'erthrown the idols which once inspired 

The Jebusites and all their hordes of sin ;' 
Altho defended by their lofty rock. 
To rise no more they fell 'neath Israel's shock! 

"God counts not numbers ! Yea, in Samson's day, 
With eyes plucked out by those vile heathen beasts, 

He wrecked their temple and did thousands slay, 
And gave to Israel fifty years of peace ; 

Her warriors, kings and nobles 'mong her dead, 

Philistia was left without a head ! 

"Behold, the fairy forms of Israel's daughters ; 

With dance and rolling timbrels soon shall meet us, 
And wives and children join like rippling waters, 

And throngs and clashing cymbal then shall greet us 
For on our banners victory shall rest. 
And joy and gladness fill each loyal breast 

Then in two bands he marched his men between 
The two vast hordes of twice outnumb'ring foe. 

And faced his bands to foes, with faith serene 
That God would all their enemies o'erthrow. 

Opposing forces would the contest yield. 

And Israel in glory sweep the field. 

Then fierce and fast the rush and clash of steel. 
The neighing war-horse, the swift chariot's rattle, 

The javelins, spears, arrows, thousands reel, 
And fall as fall the brave in raging battle : 

The captains and the shoutings ! Hark ! ( )nc shout. 

Exultant, fearless, Joab's voice rings out : — 

"Smite for the Lord of hosts! Stand for our King! 

Smite for our children, for our wives and homes! 
Yea, battle for our God ! Let triumphs ring ' 

Fight on till horse and rider are o'erthrown ! 
Smite, Isr'el, smite like hurricane's fierce breath 
Until each foe shall flee or sink in death ! 



IC 



"Play ye the warrior ! God is on our side ! 

He fights for us in battle's fiercest hour ; 
And gives the victory ! Behold the tide 

Of war and triumph flows from his dread power. 
Wave banners, wave 'gainst gods of wood and stone, 
The battle is the Lord's and His alone !" 

Like ocean billows rolling up the shore, 
Assaulting in mad fury wave on wave, 
So Syria and Ammon, 'mid the roar 

Of battling thousands, fronting dangers brave; 
Yet e'en as mountain waves, by massive rock, 
The Israelites repel their fiercest shock. 

"The sword of God and Joab !" Isr'el cries ; 

"Down with the heathen to the very dust!" 
O'er Medeba's wide plain the war-cry flies. 

And heathens flee as leaves 'fore autumn's gust; 
Like frightened sheep and goats from lion's foar 
The foes of Isr'el flee or sink in gore. 

And then the shouts of victory arise ; 

Israel' loud rejoicings fill the air; 
The voice of joy and gladness rend the skies 

And drown the sighs and groans of fell despair, 
While Joab, as tho crowned by some bright star, 
Moves in his glory like the god of war. 

And yet, shall widows, maidens, children mourn, 
Weep for their husbands, lovers, fathers, slain ; 

How many awful burdens must be borne ! 

And tears and tears shall fall and fall in vain ; 

Ten thousand friends and foes sleep sound together, 

To wake again t5- deeds of valor never. 

O Israel, Israel, ne'er again 

May some, great chieftain thy brave warriors lead, 
To strow with foes some famous battle plain ; 

But soon may joy and gladness come indeed ! 
Foul persecution tomb with other dead, 
And the Lord God of Jacob lift they head! 



17 



SAMSON, CHAMPION AND JUDGE. 

CONTENTS. 
Fame of His Great Prowess, 
Termed Hercules in Greece, 
Loves a Philistine Damsel, 
Kills a Bear and Lion, 
Weds the Philistian Maiden, 
Wife Betrays Samson, 
And He Puts Her Away, 
The Three Hundred Jackals, 
Twice Causes Death of a Thousand, 
Carries Off Gates of Gaza, 
Delilah Betrays Him, Captured, 
Eyes Burned Out, Set Grinding At Mill, 
Brought to Temple of Dagon, 
Made the Sport of Philistines, 
Parts the Pillars of the Temple, 
And the Temple of Dagon F'alls, 
Many Thousand Crushed to Death, 
Kings, Queens, Nobles and Chiefs Perish, 
Samson's Triumphant Death, 
Gives Hebrews Fifty Years of Peace. 



19 



SAMPSON, CHAMPION AND JUDGE OF 
ISRAEL. 

By Alex. S. Arnold. 

Written to Correct ^Misapprehensions Regarding 
This Wonderful Giant. 

The strength of Samson has become a proverb. 

Strong Samson, of the Tribe of Dan, whose arm 

Seemed wrought from finest of selected steel. 

Whose love of country burned forever bright, 

Whose bravery was never in dispute; 

Yet whose sad weakness when by women tempted 

Admirers of the man must e'er regret. 

And yet whose weakness, tho' so marked at times, 

Proved yet a blessing in his tragic death; 

For from that wondrous, suicidal deed 

Came to all Israel fifty years of peace, 

Which sent to generations yet unborn 

The friendly thought that Samson's great oldatic^in 

Showed plainly his unselfish bent wdthin. 

Had merely slept to wake in native strength, 

Heroic manhood had but dormant lain. 

And so the life of this strange man is tc^ld — 

So weak at times ; in peril always bold. 

And through all time 'mong worthies stands his 

name ; 
His life was weak ; his death a deathless fame. 



20 



Yet noble and how godlike are the men, 

In whom the love .of country, strength of will, 

With hearts and souls staid on their Maker, God! 

Are able to withstand temptations sore, 

Defy the subtle wiles of tempting foes 

And come off more than conquerors through life 

By strength imparted from Almighty God ! 

Such are like Zion, never to be moved, 

Like everlasting hills which towering stand 

Aye, lifting high their peaks so proud and grand. 

Yet let us not judge harshly any man 
Who, in his love of country, counts not dear 
His very life, but sacrifices all 
For her defense, in death does gladly fall. 

And Samson of the Tribe of Dan, and son 

Of blessed Manoah, who dwelt in Zorah, 

Whose birth was heralded by angel fair, 

Foretelling he a Nazarite should be ; 

No razor e'er should come upon his head ; 

From birth should touch not wine, nor even grapes. 

Lest in them lurk a few fermented drops 

Of some intoxicating liquid there concealed, 

Which would make void his consecrated life, 

And render him the slave of appetite, 

And by and by, inflamed by mocking wine. 

Would wallow in the mire like filthy swine. 

Such was the famous Samson whose great strength 
Was heralded to other climes till myth 
And legend into heathen god transformed, 
Was worshipped by Egyptians and in Greece, 
Because of his great deeds of wondrous strength, 
Till Hercules' great name has since become 
A synonym of strength like Samson's self, 
Aye, just as gold is oft the term of wealth. 
For feats of strength do people e'er admire. 
With courage linked revered by son and sire. 



21 



When Samson had to manhood's state attained 

He one day took a journey into Tamnath, 

And feasted there liis eyes on damsels fair, 

Of proud Philistia whose noted maids 

Were wondrous lovely and with winning ways ; 

Among" them of surpassing beauty, one 

To whom at sight his heart and soul were drawn. 

He told his parents that he wished the maid 

To be his wife and bring her to his home ; 

For tho' a damsel of a heathen race, 

Within his heart she had a welcome place. 

At this his parents made remonstrance strong, 
For slighting his own godly tribal maids, 
Among whom virtue was a heritage. 
His parents strongly plead, but all in vain, 
Their pleadings could not Samson's bent restrain. 

"My son," the mother said, "her steps take hold 

On sheol's pit ; yea, in all other climes 

Our stricter virtues are but sins and crimes ! 

Our righteous laws forbid in strongest terms 

To worship at the idols of their priest; 

For all their forms are cruelty and lust, 

And e'er repellent to the pure and good, 

Are all their worship and their precepts too ; 

Yea, soon cajoled by heathen wife, wilt thou 

Become the slave of lust as pagans are. 

There is no constant virtue by them taught, 

Their wanton worship colors all their life, 

A criminal is a virtuous wife. 

She may betray thee on thy bridal night ! 

Beloved son cling thou to God and right ! 

Oh let them lead thee not in wanton way 

From Moses' God and virtue never stray!*' 

But Samson, e'er impatient of restraint, 
Turned in his anger from his mother's plaint. 
Brought home the damsel who had won his love, 
And she, on their betrothal, festal day. 
Betrayed her lord and brought on him such shame 
He sought revenge and duly took the same. 



He realized the truth ; tho' fair to view, 

Nor high nor low of Tamnath's maids were true. 

The fair wife's falsity was on this wise ; 
'Twas during the betrothal feast that he 
Propounded this his riddle to be guessed: 

"Out of the eater came forth meat; 

And out of the strong came forth sweet." 
Yet none could solve the riddle which he put, 
Tho thirty raiment changes offered he. 
But when the guests the riddle failed to solve, 
They asked his bride her husband to betray; 
And, without honor, loyalty and truth, 
She coaxed and pleaded until he revealed 
The full solution of his riddle hard. 
Straightway she told the secret to the guests 
And then of course the riddle was soon guessed 
And all his parents' wisdom stood confessed. 

To Ashkelon went Samson in his rage. 
And slaying thirty men, their raiment took 
To pay the debt ; and ever after knew 
Dependence on Philistia's fair maids 
Was foolishness itself. Bereft of truth 
And virtue by their priesthood false and lewd 
Well Samson knew ; yet strangely caution slept 
And heeded not the truth that he beware 
Of lovely heathen damsels false and fair, 
But let us make the famous riddle bare: 

One day as he was roaming far afield 

A bear assaulted him with savage bent. 

And with an ease that seemed but manly sport. 

He slew the savage beast tho all unarmed. 

Again a lion sprang upon himself ; 

But with his mighty power he caught the beast 

And grasping both his jaws, a hand on each. 

He rent the lion's mouth asunder, tore 

His head apart and left the dead to rot. 

And by and by the ravens and the jackals 

Devoured his hide, and flesh and left his bones. 



But passing by the place did Samson pause 
To watch the bees who, buzzing in and out, 
He saw had chosen hive for honey store 
Within the lion's skeleton itself. 
Then home went Samson to his wife and guests, 
Propounded this his riddle to be guessed : 
"Out of the eater came forth meat, 
And out of the strong came forth sweet." 

The untrue wife and husband lived apart ; 
But when she wed the groom, then Samson's wrath 
Did savage burn, nor did his vengeance cease 
Till life he gave and gave his country peace. 

One time three hundred jackals he secured 

And joined them two and two and to their tails 

Tied firebrands and let loose among the wheat. 

Belonging to Philistia. The harvest 

AVas ruined, and Philistines sought revenge 

And murdered Samson's former wife and father. 

Because of real justice they had not 

The first conception ; but with all their skill 

In warfare and in building city walls, 

Their hearts and souls were brutish still ; 

Aye, all their learning led to greater crimes ; 

Refinement made their cruelty more keen. 

Despising fear and number of the foe. 

Strong Samson ran the risk of death and torture. 

And sought revenge unto his dying breath, 

Appeased his vengeance not until his death. 

His countrymen reproached him for his folly 
In stirring up Philistia's fierce wrath. 
So gave him to his foes bound hand and foot ; 
But when his captors raised trium])hant shouts 
He broke the cords which bound him seeming fast 
And rushed upon them with a counter shout 
When panic seized the motley crowd of men. 
Who fled and trampled hundreds in the dust 
While Samson slaughtered score by score 
Until a thousand, hcaj^s on heaps, lav dead. 
Then homeward went, his vengeance dulv fed. 



24 



Again, surrounded by a host of foes 

While lie defenseless seemed an easy prey, 

He saw at hand the skeleton of ass, 

And, wrenching jawbone from the carcass" head, 

He slew and scattered all the vengeful host, 

As in their fear they fled the victor's wrath ; 

Yet 'fore the slaughter ended he had wrought 

A wondrous victory ; for heaps on heaps 

He slew again a thousand men that day, 

And thus in rage kept up the lifelong fray. 

He loved at sight a lovely maid of Gaza, 
And she, like other heathen maids, knew naught 
Of honor, and at bidding of the lords 
Pretending ever that she loved him well, 
She formed a plan to trap and bind him fast. 
The damsel false, by winsome, charming ways 
And saying he was dear to her as life. 
Secured his faith in her ; tho' oft deceived. 
He fell asleep lulled by her cooing tones ; 
And sJie detained him till the gates were shut 
That he might thus be trapped and firmly bound. 
But just at midnight Samson woke and rose, 
And with a pow'r, which seemed impossible. 
He wrenched the massive gate and posts all free 
And carried them away as though in sport. 
And safely reached him home ere 1:)reak of day 
And cheated heathen schemers of their prey. 

A score of years had fled since his false wife 
Had gone to Tamnath and had joined her kin. 
And Samson had become the Judge of Dan 
And Benjamin and Judah, rend'ring less 
Intolerant the hateful rule of their harsh foes. 
For when Philistines made a robber raid 
Upon his tribes, instead of mere defense. 
He made a counter rush within their Jand 
And havoc and destruction by his band 
Were swift and fearful as a whirKvind's track; 
Grim desolation left they at their back, 



25 



Behind their flying feet left all forlorn ; 
The reckless raiders held their foes in scorn, 
And ere pursuit began the band was gone. 

More than before was Samson's capture sought 
Yet scores of times he foiled their well laid 

schemes. 
*Twas last of his amours that Samson met 
Delilah dazzling in her form and face, 
Embodiment of charms and witching grace 
And yet a harlot, merely a decoy 
To lure weak Samson in a new found joy; 
And soon she lured him by her winning charms 
To sleep confidingly within her arms. 

Then she asked him of his secret strength. 

Why he was stronger than all other men, 

Upbraided him and coaxed him o'er and o'er 

That her he could not love while he withheld 

His secret from her when she loved him so ! 

Three times he lied and kept his secret hid. 

"Then we must part," she said, "or you must tell. 

To prove your love, the secret of your strength." 

And like the weakling that he was in love. 

He told her all the source of his great strength. 

Then with false kisses and endearing words 

She cooed and lulled him his dear head to rest 

Upon her lap and whispered but of love. 

In love the hero is a lovesick boy, 

And Samson slumbered when the fair decoy 

Lulled each suspicion by bewitching smile 

E'en as mother Eve did first beguile. 

And Samson slept while his long raven locks 
Fell one by one from his poor, foolish head. 
"The Philistines be upon thee!" she cries. 
And Samson rises, shakes himself withal ; 
Yet finds that languor and strange weakness reigns 
Through all his muscles; yea. his strength has fled. 
He vainly tries to overcome this state 
But naught could rid him of his lethargy 



26 



His hands he carries to his head and learns 

That fair Delilah has proved false to him, 

That all her words and kisses were to trap him, 

That all her sweet caresses to deceive, 

That she were but a spy, a mere decoy 

To lure him to a capture worse than death ; 

For mocked by his vile captors, made their sport. 

Subjected to indignities through spite 

And gloated o'er as tho' a beast of prey; 

"Too late! to late!'' he murmured to himself, 

"Too late ! too late to guard against the truth 

That heathen damsels, heathen nobles all 

Are destitute of honor and of worth ! 

Had I but kept the laws by Moses given, 

And put my trust in Jacob's God alone, 

I ne'er had been subjected to this fate; 

But by the Lord of hosts been kept forever: 

Too late! too late to heed my parent's warning! 

Too late ! too late ! How bitter is the thought 

That I have brought these woes upon myself! 

Had I but chosen Israel's lowest maid 

The thought of base betrayal ne'er had found 

The slightest welcome in her loyal breast ; 

But aided my escape and peril braved ; 

To save her lover she had risked her life ; 

But no ! too late, too late ; for ever late 

To save me from this base degrading fate !" 

Then captors bound him fast in leathern thongs 

All his resistance being childish strength ; 

Within his face they spat and cufifed by turns 

In brutish exultation and in glee. 

While fair Delilah smiled as she beheld 

The royal captive through her wanton arts, 

And this the hardest trial of his life. 

And deepest dregs of woe he drank and prayed 

For strength once more to break his bands again, 

Tho' without weapon, bravely battling die. 

But dancing, all around with impish glee. 

His captors shouted, "Dagon I Dagon hail ! 

Now Royal Samson, where's thy mighty God? 

To rescue thee why comes he not in might? 



27 



Behold how Dagon puts thee in our power ! 
Behold how Dagon guards Philistia ; 
Thou hast long defied in pride ; but at length 
Our Dagon hath deprived thee of thy strength !" 

And then they brought him bound, to Gaza's king 

Applying lashings to his naked back 

To break his spirit proud and rend his soul. 

Respect for fallen greatness they had none ; 

But at a signal from the cruel king. 

Was Samson thrown upon his back and held ; 

Tormentors burned out both his eyes, and then 

Thick darkness fell upon the world forever ! 

So horrible the pain his groans were deep ; 

Yet with his tortured soul could not compare; 

For nevermore could Samson do and dare. 

And then they set him grinding at the mill 

With cruel blows and lashings on his back 

Kept naked, raw and bleeding day by day 

To humble his proud spirit in the dust ; 

For was he not a tribal judge and prince 

To whom a stripe was worse than death itself? 

But was it inborn lust that ruled his life? 
Or mostly for revenge his acts were swayed? 
Or largely leading by his pagan wife? 
Or surplus vital life which gave him strength 
And through abundant vital force caused him 
So easily to stray? "V\^hat made him slave 
Of lust and passion? '\^'ho of us can say? 
His fatal weakness led him to his fate ; 
When he repented it was all too late. 

But by and by his clipped locks grew again ; 

Tho' slightly; yet he realized the truth. 

And felt returning strength through all his limbs. 

A still small voice within him seemed to say, 

"Thou art not left alone; for I am with thee; 

Of all thy captors be not thou afraid ; 

Turn thou to me and I will give thee aid !" 



28 



Then Samson's strength returned with doubled 

might 
Yet still dissembled he to captors near. 
And seemed to push and strain with weakened 

pow'r, 
Submitting to the lashings and the blows, 
Deceiving his vain captors to the last. 
While waiting patiently perchance to strike 
And show Philistia his strength and might 
From Israel's mighty God of truth and right. 

And one great festal day at Dagon's Temple, 
When kings and nobles, warriors, queens were 

there 
And full three thousand gathered on the roof, 
The cry burst forth, "Bring on! bring Samson on! 
That we may have the greatest sport and joy ! 
Bring on the strong man ! bring him forth, 
That we may see how weak and low this giant 
Has become beneath our sway. Let him come on! 
And tho' he cannot see our god, we'll shout 
The cry of Dagon, Dagon, Dagon ! in his ears; 
For he hath him delivered unto us ! 
Bring Samson on! bring on this feeble boy! 
That we may have the greater sport and joy!" 

Then Samson was led forth and stood in wait 
While laugh and hoot and yell were aimed at him. 
Who stood as lion ready crouched to spring ; 
Yet as insulting jests and epithets were hurled 
Upon the lion caged, he softly said: 
"I pray thee, good lad, lead me to the pillars 
That I may lean against them and find rest." 
His bidding did the lad and Samson leaned 
'Gainst one of the two pillars holding roof. 
While thousands laughed to see him weak and faint, 
He breathed an agonizing prayer to God: — 

"O God of Abraham, hear me, hear me! 
O God of Isaac, hear thou my prayer ! 



29 



O mighty God of Jacob, hear thou me ! 

O God of Moses, who didst wondrous things, 

Hear thou my fervent prayer and help me now! 

Return _my former strength, and overthrow 

This idol Dagon and its devotees, 

And silence their deriding, vaunting boasts! 

Lord, I have sinned and basely turned from thee ; 

Yet have I suffered till my soul is sick 

That these vile heathen and their idol Dagon 

Now triumph o'er a judge of Israel. 

Lord of hosts, but give me strength once more, 
To bring this temple down and victor die. 

And my most grievous wrong wipe out in death, 
And bring to Israel peace from her proud foes. 
And end by this oblation all these woes ! 

"Praise, O my soul, the Lord of hosts who hears ! 

1 feel the rushing tide of strength return 
Through all my muscles strong as brazen bands ! 
Now, as I bow, be thou my strength O Lord 
Lord God of Sabaoth, thy pow'r afford !" 

Then, placing one hand each against a pillar. 
Strong Samson bowed himself with old-time 

strength. 
*Twas but a moment and the column blocks 
Did part asunder and the spreading roof 
And massive temple walls with deaf'ning noise 
Came tumbling, rushing, crashing to the earth 
Like roaring thunder when the storm cloud bursts ; 
And Sheol's flag of darkness was unfurled ; 
Death and destruction seemed to swa}^ the world ! 

And yells, and -howls, and shrieks of fell despair 
And dying wails and moans now filled the air, 
Then one long chorus of deep, dying groans 
Despairing rose from 'neath the massive stones; 
Kings, queens and nobles, warriors, leaders all 
Were buried in one grave by temple's fall. 



fJO 



And where lay Samson in this mighty tomb? 
His eyes were sightless; yet he knew no gloom; 
He realized the havoc he had wrought; 
He knew that through his death was triumph 

bought. 
When the great ruin came amid the shock 
He lay crushed, bleedmg 'neath a pillar block; 
Yet raised his voice in one triumphant cry; 
"Lo, Jacob's God doth Dagon weak defy ! 
Hallelujah! What joy, what bliss to die!" 

And thus, in Samson's last triumphant day, 

W^ith eyes burned out by those vile heathen 
beasts, 

He wrecked their temple and did thousands slay, 
And gave to Israel fifty years of peace ; 

With warriors, kings and nobles 'mong the dead, 

Philistia was left without a head. 

My tale is told, the hero passed from earth ; 

Regretting weakness, let us own his worth ; 

A slave to evil thoughts can ne'er be wise; 

But one great deed like Samson's never dies! 

And while time's billows endlessly shall roll 

May peace and joy, O Samson, fill thy soul! 

And through all time 'mong worthies stand thy 

name ; 
Thy life was weak, thy death a deathless fame ! 



31 



j^d H<.IU.^ 




CONTENTS OF HAROLD HOLLANDSBERG 

ALIAS VANDERDECKEN ; A LEGEND 

TALE OF AMSTERDAM. 

By Alexander Streeter Arnold. 

Author of "Dying Soldier of Joshua," "Moses the Great," 
"Samson," "Joab at the Battle of Medeba," "Cortes' Conquest 
of Mexico," "Abraham Lincoln," Various Religious, Senti- 
mental, Pathe'cic and Humorous Poems and Stor}- Books. 

CONTENTS. 

Harold and His surroundings, 
His Fairy Sea Waif, 
Harold at sea, his moral fall, 
Captain at twenty-five. 
His victorious sea fight, 
Storm off Cape of Good Hope, 
Blasphemy and awful Doom, 
Angel Gretchen's visit, Wilhelmina, 
The Transformation, homeward bound, 
Amsterdam wild with joy, 
Harold's confession, Wilhelmina's joy, 
Conclusion. 



Good Harold Hollandsberg, son of fair Gretchen, 
And nephew of wealthy Von Vanderdecken, 
And grandson on the proud maternal side 
Of bold Commander Baron Veeringhoff 
Who won 'the battle fierce in brave defence 
Of Amsterdam 'gainst the Austrian duke. 

Fair Gretchen, Harold's mother, was the maid 
Crowned May day, in her girlhood, village queen. 
And yet among the dames the fairest still : 
A widow now she had her much loved boy. 
Her noble, manly son, her pride and joy ; 
Her husband had his love of country sealed: 
He fell in her defence on battlefield. 



34 



And then there was a fairy, guileless waif, 
Five years the junior of her hero son, 
A little miss who gazed in perfect faith 
And admiration into Harold's face 
As tho of other clay than common men ; 
For she, as sole survivor of a ship 
Dashed upon the shore by the storm a wreck, 
.Vnd little Willhelmina, yet alive, 
By Harold was discovered on the beach, 
VVho cast aside his shells and claimed the prize, 
And prized her ever more than life itself. 
His constant aim seemed e'er to make her happy 
His highest joy to do her merest wish ; 
And mother Gretchen took his sea waif in 
And cared for her as kindly as her own ; 
Yet Harold always thought her his alone. 

But at fourteen and Willhelmina nine 
A change came o'er the household's quiet life; 
For Harold then was called to Amsterdam, 
Through the potential word of Vanderdecken, 
To enter a great shipping house as clerk 

The patron uncle of our hero boy. 

Saw much in Harold of the coming man. 

And his prized nephew called to Amsterdam. 

And at the parting Willhelmina wept ; 
And e'en when Harold bade her to be brave, 
Restrained herself but for the moment, when 
Would burst the bonds of all her pent up grief 
And sad, unbidden tears would flow afresh 
As tho she saw some dire event to come. 
At this first time that she and son must part, 
Tho mother Gretchen felt the deeper smart, 
Resolved on calmness tho it break her heart. 
And all that night the mother never slept ; 
But trusted in her God and wept and wept. 

Five years had passed, and Harold now nineteen, 
And risen to an influential post 
Where, trusted by all members of the house. 
Kind Vanderdecken marked with pride the youth, 
And yet again, through his kind word, was sent 
To higher altitudes of business trust; 



35 



And by and by, to master young the art 
Of ocean commerce, he was duly sent 
To trade for India's boasted untold wealth. 
And deal in gold and slaves and souls of men, 
Considered then, b}^ lovers of the church, 
As duly sanctioned by the word of God ; 
And step by step he trod the downward way, 
Absorbed in self till selfishness bore sway. 

The uncle wholly unaware of change 
Of moral status in his nephew-son, 
Was proud and boasting" of his protege 
Till Harold was termed, Harold Vanderdecken, 
Increasing Harold's pride and glance hauteur 
Save to his patron good Von Vanderdecken, 
Beloved most by those who knew him best, 
To whom he bended low with humble speech. 
In false humility concealing pride 
And vain ambition's aim to reach the head 
When others should obey his slightest word 
And those who e'er beheld him own him lord. 

At only twenty-five was Harold placed 
In full command of a staunch merchant ship, 
Well armed 'gainst pirates foul and other foes 
For Holland then with Britain was at war. 
And Harold strode the deck with lordly mien ; 
Instead of comely speech of worthy youth. 
The frequent oath came easy from the tongue, 
And sometimes curses that the crew might know 
That he was- master of the goodl_Y ship 
From keel to topmast and from stem to stern. 
Some judged him by an evil spirit driven 
That should debar him from the gates of lioa\cii. 
While others thought by lunacy possessed 
AVhich drove all former goodness from his lireast, 
Till not one man of those 'neath his cnnimand 
But wished himself again in fatherland. 
Howe'cr, T th.ink on man dn biMinrs large 
Oft turn the head and heart from true estate. 
And stronglv tempted does rhe templcil tall 
By yielding first to one and then to all 



;5G 



His sore temptations; and thus overcome 
His passions rule him like the fiend of rum. 
YetGretchen, Willhelmina last of all 
Would e'er imagine their loved Harold's fall ; 
So prayed in faith that blessings from on high 
Descend on him with guardian angels nigh." 

And thus around famed Good Hope's Cape they sailed, 
When right ahead there came a sloop of war, 
The flag of Briton's Isle at masthead waving 
And heavy laden with rich prizes taken. 
Before a stiff breeze came she dashing on 
E'en like a lion l:)ounding for his prey ; 
For British and the Dutch were still at war. 
And plundering the merchant craft of each. 
At hailing distance came the loud command, 
"Back your maintopsail, strike flag and heave to !" 
And sent a shot across the Dutchman's bow; 
When shouted Harold, like a thunder peal 
All unexpected from a clear blue sky, 
"Stand to your guns ! and on yon English ship 
Let each carronade belch forth fire and smoke 
And messengers of death until she holds 
Each foe unarmed !" And then the battle raged. 

The British ship was manned with twice the force 

Of men and more than twice the strength of guns; 

Yet on and on, inspired by Harold's speech 

And dauntless courage, the unequal fight 

Surged high and fierce 'mid cannons' blast and roar; 

And spite of odds the warring balance hung 

In doubt without decline to either side 

Until the British captain gave command 

To lash the vessels side by side and board. 

And as the British charged and clambered o'er 

The Dutchman's gunwale, thence to reach their deck, 

Thev loudly cheered to find such easy prey 

Still battling bravely 'gainst such fearful odds. 

The English captain waved his sword and cried, 

"Cut down these barking dogs and sink them all 

Within their little kennel ; yet spare those 

Surrendering and trusting Briton's mercy! 

On ! on ! brave British tars, and cut them down !" 



37 



Retorted Harold, "Dogs are we, ye curs? 

Take that and that ! Tars of Holland, on with me ! 

Spare not one boarder as he leaps on deck; 

Aye, give them not a chance to deal their strokes ; 

But cut them down, before they stride our deck ! 

Well done, ye sons of Holland ! aye, well done ! 

Once more, ye Holland's Mars! The vict'ry's won!" 

Repulsed the British paused, and Harold's voice rang out 

"Think of the prize we'll take to Fatherland 

With her rich treasures for our Holland homes; 

How Holland and old Amsterdam shall joy, 

And each of us, with riches heavy laden, 

Shall live, like burgomaster's honored life, 

A hero and the pride of fatherland ! 

Here comes another band to be o'erthrown. 

Ye tars of Holland, on ! The fight's our own ! 

Your captain leads the way ! Then follow me 

And win a grand, glor'ous victory !" 

Again the struggle raged ; and sabre thrust, 

And cut and gash as fiends incarnate war 

With Harold at the head in every charge, 

The seeming incarnation of grim war. 

Defying fear while none could stay his might; 

And still the contest in the balance hung 

Till overcome by numbers Harold's men gave way, 

And all seemed lost as bravely British tars. 

Through whom Britannia long ruled the wave, 

Rang out their cheers and followed the retreat. 

When Harold yelled, "Once more for Holland's glory ! 

Now follow me, brave men ! We'll win the fight ! 

Aye, victory is ours ! Now they give way ! 

Now on with me once more and gain the day !" 

Then with rush and stroke, slaying as he goes, 

He leads the last fierce charge upon their foes ; 

Each captain leading for the other's life. 

And thus in single combat ends the strife; 

The British captain swung his fiercest stroke ; 

But met by Harold's hilt in twain it broke ; 

With one fell blow, bold Harold's sword came down. 

E'en to the very neck right through the crown. 



;5S 



No braver warrior fell on battlefield, 
Or on the ocean e'er was forced to yield. 
"What pity !" Harold murmured, "that such fate 
Should one, so brave, in life's full prime o'ertake ! 
And now, my men, care well for all our foes ; 
They fought too well to suffer needless woes.' 

All kindly cared for, foes were set adrift 
With boat and food to reach a friendly port; 
Then the two vessels, sailing side by side, 
Essayed to round the cape with wind abaft ; 
The sky was clear presaging weather fair; 
But few the future ever can declare ; 
A head wind rose and lashed the sea to rage ; 
An angry storm came on and lightning flashed : 
Loud thunder rolled, winds heightened to a roar, 
And blasts to tatters soon the mainsail tore 
And drove the helpless vessels to the shore; 
One ship a helpless wreck, the other staunch, 
And stowing all on one again they launch. 
Their single ship with riches for them all, 
Again they set their sails for fatherland, 
The sky again was clear, the sun shone bright 
And filled the sailors' hearts with fond delight ; 
Now soon to meet their frous and sweet frauleens 
When nevermore should dark seas roll between. 
Yet when they hoisted sail repaired and strong, 
When by fair breezes swept so kind along 
Another storm arose more fierce and wild 
And great waves rocked them like a cradled child ; 
Loud thunders rattled linked with lightning's frown, 
And the rain in sheets like a flood came down; 
Where but in God could man a refuge find? 
Again the howling blasts the mainsail rent 
Yet wilder, fiercer still the dread storm howled 
And yet again, 'mid elemental roar, 
The ship was being driven to the shore 
On mountain billows higher than before. 

'Twas then occurred the thing — we call it thing — 
The awful thing that makes the blood run cold : 
Destruction staring in their very face. 
When all the crew seemed, paralyzed with dread, 



39 



Then Harold shouted high above the blast : — 
"Men, to your posts and save the ship or die ! 
What, shrink we at these mimic cannon blasts? 
Are we the men who fought for Holland's glory? 
And won that fiercest fight in Holland's name? 
And shall we cow tho death itself beset? 
Let thunders roar and lightnings flash aflame ! 
Defy the might of ocean, earth or heaven !" 
Then like some impish fiend shook high his fist. 
And while the crew heard not the words he spake, 
Because the elements were all at war. 
They knew he was defying povs^ers divine: 

All stood transfixed with horror and affright 

With vessel bathed in strange, infernal light. 

Then came a brighter flash and peal of thunder, 

While circling flames played round where Harold stood ; 

An instant more his right arm drop't, and swaying. 

He staggered to and fro and prostrate fell. 

And all unconscious to the vessel's deck: 

And then, 'tis said, there came a silent pause, 

No thunder rolled ; the very sails hung loose ; 

The breezes ceased, and Sol did veil his face ; 

Silence reigned profound: so the legend reads, 

AVhile stagnant stood the blood within the veins ; 

All nature moved not ! Supreme silence reigned ! 

But soon two godly men recalled his youth. 
His godly mother and pure Willhelmina, 
And raised the fallen man and carried him 
W^ithin the captain's cabin just alive, 
And there they left him as they thought to die, 
Where, in dark visions, he beheld vile imps 
A\'ho came and laughed in glee and shrieked in wrath. 
And others watched as if to tear and rend. 
While lightnings flashed again and thunders rolled. 
And moaning angels wept and wept and moaned, 
WHiile one, with streaming eyes and outstretched liands, 
So strangely like his mother, well he knew 
That she had passed to paradise, but came 
To seek and save; for mother's love fails not, 
While hate divided 'o'ainst itself is weak. 



40 



He tried to stretch his hands, but could not move them 
He tried to lift his voice, but made no sound ; 
And slowly faded she away with moans 
And sad, sad tears as loving angels shed 
When mortals stray instead of seeking good. 

The man so brave, who ne'er before knew fears, 
Now prayed to find relief in flowing tears ; 
Yet not one tear bedimmed his burning eyes. 
And Harold once so strong now helpless lies! 
"Lost, lost, lost!" he mused in fell despair; 
"For even my clear mother, ever pure. 
Has left for heaven, and left me without hope. 
Yes, love has failed while fiends do o'er me reign ; 
For angels' tears and love are all in vain !" 

For full nine days he lingered on the brink 

Of death's cold river and outgoing tide ; 

And then he woke from semi-conscious trance. 

Sat up and questioned of the last few days ; 

When he was told that many times the crew 

Had hoisted sail to start for Holland's shores; 

Yet all their efforts proved but vain attempts 

Against the howling storms which rose ahead ; 

And now the ocean lay so strangely calm 

Which more than tempest filled them with alarm. 

Then Harold in his weakness fell asleep. 
The voice of sweet toned Willhelmina, 
The maid for whom heM gladly give his life. 
Like sweetest music, whispered in his ear: 
"All hate and wrath and sinful things are weak; 
Divided 'mong themselves they cannot stand ; 
Aye, while untruths tho wedded often fight 
A thousand truths can never disagree ; 
But e'er united truth shall triumph win. 
Divided e'er there'll be an end of sin. 
By no despair be from our God beguiled, 
Nor doubt you are our Heavenly Father's child. 
My Harold dear, your mother's faith renew 
While night and day I pray in faith for you." 

For one brief moment Harold found relief, 
And yet the next was plunged in deeper grief: 



41 



A horrid demon stood beside his berth, 

And said in tones severe, distinct and grave, 

"Blasphemer, thou shalt ne'er see home again, 

Nor hear again thy mothers angel voice, 

Nor one sweet cadent tone of Willhelmina; 

For thy foul sin can never be atoned ! 

So shalt thou beat around this stormy cape 

Forever and forevermore in vain, 

Nor peace, nor joy shall visit thee again ; 

Thy restless soul shall toss like raging main !" 

He roused again, and prayed and plead in vain. 

Rose from his berth and slowly paced the deck. 

Shunned by the crew as if a demon lost 

While heaven and earth seemed frowning 'gainst his soul 

And days wore on and still the ship lay calmed. 

Or sore beset with storms of fiercest bent; 

Thus many weary days were sadly spent. 

And then one night he sunk in slumber deep 
And dreamed his angel mother Gretchen came 
And told him she had passed through death's cold flood, 
Yet still was he her much loved pride and joy, 
That Willhelmina prayed for his return 
That she might look upon himself again : 
How good, how kind he'd been to her alway ! 
And now she prayed to bring great bliss to him 
'Mid changing scenes her love for him remains 
E'er like her own in blissful realms above. 
Then added Angel Gretchen to her son, 
'*She'd hardly know you now so greatly changed ; 
Yet soon shall you be suffered to return 
And meet in joy and tell your awful tale; 
And then if she to marry you consents 
You shall her wed, with every fault forgotten. 
Yet greater joy shall come to both at last! 
Receive my blessing. W^e shall meet again 
Where sin can never come, nor grief nor pain !'' 

Dear reader, bear in mind these warning words ; 
Take not for granted that these visions strange 
Are written here as truths like Holy \A'rit ; 
They are but records of those legend tales 
That come from olden times in Amsterdam : 



42 



And yet to Harold seemed these visions strange 

As true and real as events of life, 

And to our hero were true lessons given 

As the they came direct from highest heaven. 

But to return to Harold Hoflandsberg: 
When his sweet mother's spirit took its flight 
With joy unspeakable Harold rose 
And gained the deck, clothed and in mind aright, 
And as he spake the whole crew greatly marvelled 
At the kind, loving tone and manner gentle ; 
For beaming through his face his soul shone forth 
E'en as good mother Gretchen's, and they knew 
A heavenly transformation had been wrought, 
And all the crew were strangely to him drawn, 
And kindly asked, for him could they do aught? 
At which he bade them kneel, and would each pray 
That they might all return in safety soon, 
All hearts the realms of righteousness and peace. 
To tread once more the paths of fatherland 
And greet their loving frows and frauleens, too? 
And so they prayed and hope filled every heart, 
And sails were duly set by fair winds fed 
While their loved flag of Holland waved o'erhead ; 
'Twas like a resurrection from the dead. 
Then the crew shouted long and loud with glee ; 
And sung the good old songs of fatherland ; 
The sun shone out afresh and ocean danced 
And frolHcked as they glided round the cape 
On swift and joyous cruise of homeward bound : 
And on the vessel sailed o'er dark, blue sea. 
And left the troubled waves, far, far alee. 

A happy voyage full of joy to each 
E'en to the North Sea waves and Holland's beach, 
To greet with joy and gladness fatherland. 
Old Amsterdam's staid town was crazed with joy ; 
Fond hearts o'erflowed and thankful tears were shed 
For people long had mourned the crew as dead ; 
And as they sailed in view of Amsterdam 
Her citizens went wild and bells all rang 
And crowds came singing, cheering might and main, 
Kejoicmg that the dead now lived again! 



43 



Rejoiced they just as angels ever joy- 
When God, our Father, finds one long lost boy i 
Ah, how the good news spread from town to town; 
The ship and crew were safe, the lost were found ! 
And wives and sweethearts came with joy to meet them, 
And all their friends and neighbors rushed to greet them : 
Such happy tears of joy ne'er known before 
And Harold's Willhelmina, filled with joy 
To wind her arms around her sailor boy. 
And Harold's bliss was then without alloy, 
Was irauleen e'er before so truly blest 
To weep for joy upon her lover's breast? 

The richest prize that e'er to Holland came, 
And every tongue proclaimed our hero's fame ; 
The business house made rich beyond compute. 
Each sailor wealthy, too, beyond dispute, 
And hero Harold made a millionaire, 
And little A'Villhelmina, fairest of the fair, 
Was soon to be his bride in queenly gown 
From cjueen to rose of Amsterdam's famed town. 
All loved this rose of innocence and grace 
Whose sweet, angelic soul shone through her face 
And captured all who saw, in fatherland. 
The little waif once found upon the strand, 
Cast up from vessel's wreck to Holland given. 
Direct from fairy land or right from heaven ; 
And Harold then forgot his dire alarms 
With W^illhelmina clasped within his arms. 

The neighbors took for granted from the first 
That Harold and W' illhelmina were engaged ; 
Yet naught of husband, wife or wedding bells 
Had passed between the couple in their lives; 
Contented both to seek each others weal. 
But as they sat together one fair eve 
Our hero all his strays from good confessed, 
Nor aught withheld of all his wickedness. 
Then Harold added with a saddened face. 
''My love for you has never known one change; 
Unselfish, ever seeking but yc'ur weal ; 
From boyhood's days you've been my guiding star; 
Nor life nor death my love for you can mar, 



U 



And yet, blasphemer of my Lord, I'm cursed; 

I cannot marry you and drag you down. 

Think you these men, who heard and know my guilt, 

AA'ill fail to tell their frows and frauleens all? 

My sin, now secret through this present joy, 

Shall soon be bruited on a thousand tongues, 

And scornful glances be directed meward. 

And love for me shall bring you greater woe. 

No, Willhelmina, I've forfeited heaven 

And bide the forfeit ; but I'll not harm you ■ 

So innocent, so like an angel true !" 

Then AA'illhelmina, upon his arm her hand, 

"Our angel mother came to you in dreams 

And said that if I, after full confessior, 

Would wed you, not by mere consent, but gladly 

Then would you be absolved from every sin. 

And once more be a son of God our Father. 

Dear Harold, hear me say, 'Twas but a dream ; 

Yet one our Heavenly Parent sent to you. 

But what can" make you aught but Gretchen's son? 

And what can make you other than God's child? 

Can man's denial change a single truth? 

Let God be true tho every man should lie ! 

If you are lost from God that simple truth 

Is proof he owns and claims you as his own. 

And now, dear Harold, king of men to me, 

The hero, saviour of your loving waif, 

I never dreamed of bliss so great before; 

But ever thought some other you would choose. 

Perhaps the worthy daughter of a king 

AMiile I should love you none the less afar. 

bliss! can this be other than a dream? 

One added blessing and I die of joy ! - • 

1 am so gorged with bliss I cannot chide ; 
I can but joy that even you have sinned 

If that has made me yours and made you mine. 
Receive this kiss to clasp the golden chain ; 
In life, in death we ne'er shall part again. 
Still AVillhelmina, smiling and serene, 
"No, Harold, dear, you shill not sin so great, 
Plunge me from heights of joy to deepest woe 
Because of your mistaken, morbid whim ; 



45 



For even as I cannot, will not doubt you, 
I will not, nay I cannot, live without you ; 
Since you love none save me, where'er you roam 
On land or ocean there shall be my home ; 
To love you, bless you, leave your side, no never. 
Were paradise itself to me forever! 
Not one dissenting word ; hear me to the end : 
Why, think you for one sin God will not lend; 
Aye, give you his^ blessing more free believe 
Than you, my Harold, willing to receive? 
Our God of love is not a helpless child ; 
Then would your sin make you far more defiled- 
For which the greater sin, depraved and low, 
To deal a giant, or a child a blow? 
Would mother Gretchen, she so pure in heart, 
For even greatest sin, bid us depart? 
Nay, Harold, nay! she'd search the universe 
To save you and me from a single curse ! 
And is our Heavenly Father far less kind? 
Or will he seek and search until he find? 
Eternity has God to seek the lost 
And ne'er will cease to save the tempest tossed : 
Shake ofif your morbid thoughts and whims and fears. 
And let us grasp the bliss of future years. 
"Our Judge shall weigh you at the judgment seat 
And more than earthly justice to you meet, 
And turn the balance ever to your side 
As tho the weigher were your loving bride ; 
For no such kindly judge to man is given 
Than our good Father God in highest heaven. 
There is no heaven if God is e'er unkind ; 
But God is love and naught but love shall find 
A dwelling-place within his gracious soul ; 
He seeks the lost while endless ages roll. 

And you would forfeit heaven for love of me? 
Can bliss than mine e'er higher, sweeter be? 
Yea, such unselfish love no tongue can tell. 
Nor e'er the glories of your heart excel ! 
May peace unceasing give you joy sublime 
With virtues countless and a sin8:le crime!" 



46 



Then Harold in reply, "I must respond; 

For greater sin would be deserting" you. 

To learn thy wish has been but to obey; 

My aim shall ever be to make you blest, 

So good, so pure, so like an angel fair 

And side by side we'll tread life's paths together, 

Ne'er to part forever and forever." 

Then Willhelmina, 'What can I say, 

But heaven descends on this our happy day? 

One joyous heaven of bliss without alloy, — 

Myself a heaven ! m}'' life a thing of joy ! 

And my chief joy shall be in making you 

The very soul of bliss all this world through. 

That peace may fill your heart through all earth's tune, 

With virtues boundless and a single crime. 

Of many versions this is merely one 
Of legends told of Harold Hollandsberg, 
Called sometimes Vanderdecken, any name 
To suit the fancy of the author's mind. 
With sequel oft so sad that readers weep 
At bitter ending of this thrice told tale, 
To think a captain, with such noble traits. 
For only one sad sin, however great. 
Should be forbidden e'er his soul to mend. 
Yet suffer tortures keenly without end. 

Therefore a milder sentence I invoke ; 

For Holy AA'rit doth teach that but one sin 

Is wholly inexcusable with God, 

And that sin this alone : 'tis charging God 

With spirit vile like foul Beelzebub 

The heathen god of flies or unclean god ; 

For Mark, of all the gospel writers doth 

Alone explain the meaning of this sin : — 

"Because they said he hath an unclean spirit!' 

And, therefore, reader think not ill of God, 
Of His pure Spirit as He deals with men; 
For "God is love," and all his attributes 
Are manifestations of supreme love. 

In foulest of his dark, blasphemous guile 
He never charged our God with Spirit vile; 



47 



And, therefore Harold, who ne'er so accused 
His Maker of uncleanness could not be 
Condemned in strict justice and equity! 

And Thus this legend here we now conclude 
With untold joy in all its plentitude. 
Our hero, Harold Hollandsberg was wed 
To lovely Willhelmina, and the pair 
Were feted by the folk for leagues around, 
And good Von Vanderdecken's joy was deep 
To see his protege a king of men 
With wife the best belov'd of Holland's maids, 
And at her side there stood a lovely belle, 
The daughter of a famous baron, who 
So influential gave the bride away, 
And added glory came to Amsterdam, 
Illuming all the realm of fatherland. 

And ne'er were happy wife and husband made 
Embarrassed even by the darksome tale ; 
No man of Holland dared to wag the tongue 
In slander tales of Harold doing wrong; 
Been mobbed such traitor by an angry throng. ' 
But oft when riding through staid Amsterdam. 
\\' hile frous and frauleens waved their handkerchiefs 
The men and youth all shouted high with glee, 
'TIere comes the hero of the toughest fight 
That ever raged upon the ocean wave, 
And took the richest prize of all the war ! 
Now cheer for Harold Hollandsberg and bride! 
Aye, make the welkin ring for Holland's glory !" 
And with such joyous cheer we end our story. 

The end. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE GREAT. 

By Alexandkr Streeter Arnoed, 
Author of "Harold Hollandsberg, alias Vander- 
decken," Samson, Champion-Judge of Israel," 

"Joab at the Battle of Medeba," various other poems 

and story books. 



Great Abraham Lincoln, so truly great ! 
So great in goodness, noble in pure love ! 
His tender soul was ever reaching out 
To every human heart in suffering. 
To bird and beast; yea, everything with life 
That needed sympathy and f riendshij) sweet : 
Nor hate, nor selfishness, he met in luen, 
Be they his deadliest, malignant foes. 
Could ever tempt him to commit a wrong 
'Gainst any man who happened in his way. 
Than life of this great man what nobler tlnme 
For prophet's vision or a poet's dream ? 



50 



Born in the year of eighteen hundred, nine. 

Among the mountaineers of Old Kentuck, 

So noted for their love of liberty, 

Devotion to the Union of the States, 

And love and worship of the Stars and Stripes! 

His birth a prophecy of coming good ; 

For to this end he lived and died for man ! 

Great hearted, sweet-souled lover of mankind. 

Determined he the Union to maintain, 

That this great beacon light of all the world — 

"A government of the people, and for 

The people, and by the people, should not 

Perish from off the earth," but lead all nations 

To paths of peace and love to God and man ! 

His lovely mother, pure-souled Nancy Hanks, 
So worthy of such an unselfish son : 
Tho he, unpolished as a diamond rough 
Just taken from the womb of mother earth ; 
Yet in his radiant soul a heavenly light. 
Fed by oil of love, burned ever bright. 

He down the Mississippi River went. 

At New Orleans beheld an auction sale 

Of male and female slaves which struck his soul 

With such deep horror, loathing and disgust. 

That should the opportunity occur, 

He'd strike the serpent hard and crush its head ; 

And tho with obstacles on every side 

His vow was never changed by life's strong tide, 

'Twas not mere prejudice 'gainst business firms ; 
But deep strange enmity 'gainst those in want 
And opposition ' strong to Lincoln's views 
That history has sometimes falsified 
His keen, deep sympathy for needy men, 
Omitting that he favored work for them 
(The greatest temp'ral boon for those in need) 
l"hough tariff strong protecting business here 

As Jefferson did favor tariff strong. 

Thus when he ran for office needy men 
He ne'er forgot, but boldly gave his views : 



51 



"My politics, dear Friends, are short and sweet: 
A nation's bank to banish wild-cat bills. 
Internal improvements for all the land, 
A tariff high for every needy man. 
That he employment may obtain with wage 
Through ample business to supply our wants 
Instead of our home markets crammed with goods 
By foreign firms to rob our men of work!'' 

Such, in substance, were Lincoln's politics, 
And thus whenever he for office ran 
He ne'er lost sight of work for needy man. 
Elected President, he ne'er forgot 
Vile slav'ry's evil and the slave's hard lot; 
Yet smote not hard until the time was ripe 
For Emancipation Proclamation ; 
When freedom for "our land was born anew. 
And freedom's trumpet sounded clearer notes 
Which now are heard at earth's remotest bounds; 
The music of the song shall never cease. 
But shall be sung yet sweeter in high heaven 
When liberty to all our race is given. 
Well I remember that deep, stirring call. 
And how they rushed f^'om cot and palace hall, 
And to their country's rescue how they flew 
Like Highland clans at blast of Rod'ric Dhu ! 
Not for mere holiday they marched so grand; 
But die, if need be, for their native land ! 
And on they came, on to the front they rushed 
Like fierce tornado or the storm cloud burst ! 
Naught should divide this dear beloved land; 
Old Glory wave, the Union victor stand ! 
Ring out. the victor blast o'er slav'ry's sea; 
The Union Triumphant, her people free ! 

And sung the Union hosts from shore to shore. 
"We're coming. Father Abraham, three hundred 

thousand more !" 
Their mem'ry cherish, make the welkin ring. 
Our love of country be without alloy 
Till morning stars again together sing 
And all the sons of God shall shout for joy! 



52 



Now when the war broke forth in all its wrath, 
Our President saw cle^rly our true path: 
Said Lincoln in his judgment keen and true, 
"Now let our arms true wisdom's path pursue: 
In battle bring all forces in full play; 
No other course than this can win the day; 
The opposite but gives ourselves away !" 

Yet oft came news, "Our army's in retreat; 

We've suffered still another sore defeat !" 

Then Lincoln, shamed and saddened, gravely asked, 

"Were all our soldiers at the front enmassed?'" 

And the reply. "Full thirty thousand men 

Ne'er charged nor fired a rifle there and then !" 

"O God,'' cried Lincoln, "are we in the wrong? 
If so, let not this awful war prolong; 
But if, O Lord of Hosts, we're in the right, 
Send us a brave commander who will fight!" 
And while our northern foes did rave and rant, 
God sent him Sherman, Sheridan, and Grant. 
For when the brave confederates did yieli, 
When Union soldiers won the battle field, 
The beaten army merely then withdrew 
Without our victor forces to pursue ; 
Allowed were they to leave without molest 
As though the foe were but our honored guest. 
By this foul course was Lincoln's bosom torn. 
And Laiion of her fruits of triumph shorn; 
But when came Grant and other leading chiefs 
Discarded Lincoln his despairing griefs. 
Had Lincoln but himself assumed control, 
Had led the Union men in triumph bold. 
Yea, led the Union force in victor's strength, 
The cruel war been cut its fearful length, 

The Lord of hosts had shown His milder wrath. 
The cost of war reduced at least one-half. 
And half the killed and wounded home returned 
And light of joy in other households burned. 
Yea, 'fore this turn, at Gettysburg's great fight, 
The news came pouring in the fight was hot. 



53 



And every regiment was at the front, 

He lay all night upon his breast in prayer 

To our great Lord of righteousness and might. 

And as he rose from prayer at morning dawn 

He heard the news, ''The victory is ours!" 

The nation's fate hung on that crucial day 

And every troop was in that bloody fray. 

Thus plainly showing Lincoln's views were right — 

United all the only way to fight. 

Said Lincoln, "God did answer me my prayer; 

Myself I gave unto him then and there ! 

For I had vowed, if God would then impart 

This triumph, I would give the Lord my heart !" 

But in the war, that tested souls of men, 

Were people rampant in the northern states, 

The very men who caused the needless war 

By cheering on disunionists to fight, 

rVbusing Lincoln and our loyal men. 

Encouraging the South to persevere 

And slavery defend and e'en enlarge. 

"We have no right," they cried, "to save the Union 

H slav'ry's abolition it requires ; 

H war means freedom, better come defeat !" 

Such heedless talk caused many a sad retreat. 

Hot-headed Southern men were not in fault 

One-half as much as Northern hypocrites 

Denouncing Abe and cheering on his foes. 

Had we but bought the freedom of the slaves 

It had not cost one-half expense of war 

Saved a half-million lives of sterling men. 

But certain northern people, day and night, 

Encouraged the deluded south to fight. 

Another cry saluted soon our ears 

When duly we enlisted colored troops ; 

For frantic at this added Union aid 

These people at the North were so half-crazed 

They seemed more anxious far that tliere be slain 

One hundred whites than one of Africa's sons 

Should for the Union fall by rebel guns. 

These enemies of Lincoln had, 'twas ])lain, 

That old disease termed color on the brain. 



54 



And mildest mannered men that ever lashed 

The naked back of slave of either sex 

And while the crimson flowed applied the brine, 

Or prostituted women black or tan, 

Or parted husband, wife and children, too, 

To sell for gold, or sold an octoroon 

For harem of some gentleman of means — 

Aye, these mild mannered men of rank and pride 

Proclaimed through British Isle that baboon Abe 

And all his coadjutors were immoral. 

And like gorillas thirsted they for blood. 

While octoroons, quadroons, mulattos, blacks 
They daily ravished, and the bleaching works 
Ran day and night until one could not tell 
The one he saw were counted black or white. 

And to this day the hybrid works are run. 

E'-specially where Tillmans rule the land. 

And crocodile's big tears are duly shed, 

As over Lincoln and his Union hosts, 

Lest miscegenation, amalgamation 

Should 'mong the blacks and whites disgrace the nation. 

But by and b}^ there came a wondrous change 

When Gettysburg was Vk^on and Vicksburg fell, 

The Merrimack whipped, Alabama sunk 

And Richmond was deserted, and then Lee 

Capitulated at Appomatox, 

And right through Georgia marched our Union troops 

And the great civil war was at an end. 

Then came the awful crime through crazy Booth 

Right in the very midst of Lincoln's joy. 

Beloved Abe was shot by insane foe 

The instrument of others, doubly foul. 

Upon whose brows the mark of Cain was stamped. 

And thus fell Lincoln standing in the front 

Of earth's great champions for freedom's cause, 

Just as McKinley was assassinated 

By yellow journals and our saffron posts, 

But using crazy Gzolgosz for the deed. 



55 



Great Lincoln and McKinley both were killed 
By vilest politicians of the land 
Because these godlike men stood firm and true 
For needy men and women this land through! 

McKinley, loving soul and pure in heart; 
Yet born a leader of the sons of men, 
(So mild he seemed to follow; yet he led) 
The great political economist 
Of this great land for which he gave his life, 
Was murdered for his love of men in need, 
As Lincoln died for love of fellow men. 

Our Lincoln the Great, thy immortal name 
Shall stand forever on the roll of fame ! 
We praise thee, God of love, from whom was given 
This star of truth and love as pure as heaven ! 
And earth's remotest bounds his worth proclaim, 
And unborn millions shall revere his name ! 

NOTES ON WASHINGTON AND LINCOLN. 

Washington was 6 feet, 2 inches in height and doubtless 
the strongest man in America. He weighed 210 pounds, 
swordsman. His fortune of nearl-y a milHon was as colossal 
for his day and towered above that of any other American as 
Rockfeller's wealth towers above that of others. Washington 
was aristocratic and had his clothes made in England. He 
wore No. 13 boots and his hands were so large that he was 
obliged to have gloves made especially for him. My grand- 
mother, who saw him when he visited Providence, told me 
that he was the handsomest and most magnificent looking man 
she ever beheld. 

Lincoln was 6 feet, 4 inches high, an athlete and one of the 
strongest, if not the strongest, man in the United States. He 
was the soul of love, kindness and sociability, but awkward 
and what is termed homely. He was a far-seeing Statesman, 
and saw more clearly than any other man, how the war should 
be conducted, and the manner in which battles should be 
fought, and had he assumed command of the army in person 
he would have saved half the lives and at least half the ex- 
pense and come off victorious in half the time. 

Washington was slandered and abused the worst of all our 
Presidents and Lincoln next; yet to-day their fame and glory 
outrank and outshine; any of our oilier Chief Executives. 



5(i 



CONTENTS. 
Aztec rulers of Anahuac, 
Tribes ruled strictly by force, 
Island capital impregnable, 
Cannibalism, Huitzel, God of War 
Legend of White Toltec prophet, 
Alarvelous Republic of Llascala, 
Independent, fearless Llascalans, 
Landing of Cortes in three ships, 
Fierce battles with Llascalans, 
Cortes finally victorious, 
Montezuma's invitation to Cortes, 
Spanish force sent against Cortes, 
Beaten and join Cortes, 
Alvarado's mistaken zeal, 
Spanish and Alies forced to retreat, 
"Melancholy Thursday night," 
Terrific struggles, heroic Llascalans, 
L'nconquerable Spanish Chivalry, 
Great Spanish Victory next morning, 
Greater victory at Otumba, 
Llascalans spurn Aztec overtures, 
50,000 join Spanish army, 
Lopez Brigantines A wonderful feat, 
Right of conquest problem, 
Overzealous division trapped, 
Aztec prophecy a boomerang, 
Mexico captured, great celebration, 
Cortes rebuilds Mexico magnificently, 
Cortes wild welcome home. 
Returns to Mexico, welcomed everywhere, 
Good father Almedo, princess Marina, 
Conclusion. 



59 




■^■57 "t^ Td 










K/ ® 



MOUTH EPM A.mi 



S> ^'^ S' 



ENGRA.V1) BY- "W:^ G RE AT B A C- H 



(i) God was weary of beastly Aztec crimes! 

Mild Toltec loving, friendly sway had ceased, 

And Aztec cannibals now ruled the land. 

For full two hundred years and fifty more 

Had our good, loving father waited them 

For due repentance of their brutish rites ; 

Yet fiercer, bolder grew their cruel crimes, 

And yet more victims with the passing times; 

For longed Huitzel, god of wrath and ire. 

As Moloch craved for children passed through fire. 

(ii) Huitzel thirsted e'er for human gore. 

Denied would send through Anauac in wrath, 

Sore pestilence and famine, woes and death ; 

And therefore sum of wretched victims grew 

Until this god of war's famed altar stone 

Reeked more with human blood to gorge his wrath, 

And Rivulets of gore the trenches filled. 

Adorned by fifty thousand severed heads, 

Perfumed as by ten slaughter houses joined. 

Sweet savor to Huitzel god of war. 

Full fifty thousand yearly put to death, 

Their breasts were opened wide while yet alive, 

Their hearts removed, their heads were severed ; then 

The carcasses were cooked for Aztec feasts ; 

The grinning skulls were piled in massive mounds 

To show their bloody god of war how true 

The fearful worship of his devotees ! 

And for his sake how many victims slain 

That o'er the land he might triumphant reign. 

But God was weary of such wolfish rites, 
And in his providence decreed the end 
Of this colossal human slaughter house. 

Then mighty Cortes and heroic band 
At Vera Cruz arrived and burned their ships, 
Resolved to subjugate the land or die. 
Convert the heathen to their Christian forms, 
Bestow the conquered realm to crown of Spain, 
And gather for themselves much precious gold 
The rightful plunder for the Christian fold. 



62 



(40) The lovely land of Anauac contained 

Full fourteen million vassals ruled thru fear 

By o'er a million of the Aztec race 

Who dwelt secure upon the inland isle 

Of Mexico within Tezcuco Lake, 

Safe from foes without ; with only causeways three, 

Each long but not a score of feet in width 

Affording access to the inland isle. 

And thus impregnable they deemed their fort; 
And worshipped fierce Huitzel god of war 
And ruled by fear the tribes, both near and far, 
Through Montzuma, King of chiefs and lords 
Who conquered Anauac through cruel frauds. 

(53) And from this island fastness, safe from foes, 

They issued armed, surprised and captured hosts 

Of hapless people for dread sacrifice, 

And roasted bodies graced their beastly feasts, 

The arms and legs esteemed the choicest parts. 

They gathered also tribute, slaves and maids 

For harems of the lords and Montezuma, 

And if objection vassals dared to make. 

An army of the Aztecs issued forth 

Against the vassal states when unprepared. 

And wreaked their vengeance on the wretched throng, 

With spoils and captives on their safe return. 

And thus the Aztec rule they dared not spurn. 

(66) But legend strange and prophecy was rife, 
Familiar to the tribes throughout the land , 
Of kindly being like the Nazarine 
That years before a white man had borne sway 
O'er many tribes who ruled through love alone. 
E'en as the Toltecs, during cent'ries past. 
With loving-kindness strewed their daily path, 
Without one victim to appease^ God's wrath. 

(73) And this great influential Priest of Love 
Had eastward gone and vanished at the Gulf; 
Yet, saying, he would come again to rule 
All people throughout Anhuac's wide bounds, 
He charged the tribes to watch for his return. 



63 



And thus when Cortes landed from his ships 
With great, white, spreading wings upon his craft, 
Like angels flying from their realms above, 
The tale was carried swift throughout the land, 
And to great Montezuma's palace royal, 
That the prophetic times were fully ripe ; 
For white men had arrived from out the east 
To claim their rightful lordship o'er the realm 
And every foe and obstacle o'erwhelm. 
All must submit, forsake their cruel sin, 
Or vengeance for rebellion would begin ! 

(87) The startling, although long expected news 
Awakened wrath and fear in Aztec breasts ; 
For this would end their cruel rule by force. 

The fourteen million vassals, ruled by fear, 
Must not rebel or feel the Aztec rod ; 

But bold Tlascalas, in their mountain home. 

For ages had defied the brutish sway 

Of Aztec monsters, and their freedom kept; 

And the Republic of Tlascala stood 

In all the glory of free Switzerland, 

I'lascala's patriotic mountaineers 
Returned defiance to proud Aztec boasts. 
Beat back the tyrants and their vassal hosts. 

(100) When Montezuma heard the startling news, 
The epoch of the white man's rule had come, 
It robbed him of his zest and arrogance; 
And half resigned to his impendng fate 
He like a shuttlecock swayed back and forth 
From peace to secret war, from war to peace : 
He saw the doom o'er his dominion lower. 
Intrigued against and for the white man's power. 

(108) When Cortes and his army inland marched. 

They marked the fields of beauty flowers and grain, 

How rich the soil and every acre used, 

Where but for rule of brutish cannibals 

Appeared a very paradise on earth. 

Where Christian rule should have another birth. 



64 



On reaching the Republic of Tlaxcala 
They marched within her unprotected walls, 
Unguarded strangely at that very hour, 
When fifty to an hundred thousand troops, 
Bold mountaineers, bravest of the brave, 
Met Cortes' little band with martial front. 
And then the battle raged both fierce and long. 
When Cortes voice rang out in martial tones : 
Close up the ranks and show a solid front ! 
Together, mailclad horse and tread them down ! 
Bathe thrusting spear and lance and blade in gore, 
While musketeers and cannon vomit wrath 
Till every foe shall flee or sink in death ! 
Shout the battle cry ! God and St. Jago ! 
While saints and angels give us victory !" 

'Twas ten to one ! and yet the mailclad horse. 
And musketeers and cannon belched forth fire, 
(Tho seeming engines of infernal wrath) 
Yet even then the mountaineers fled not, 
But stood astounded at the havoc wrought 
Until the order given for retreat. 
When without panic which seized other tribes. 
They rearward nl'oved to form their force again, 
Then forward rushed to make a fresh attack. 
Sometimes repeated charges, swift and fierce, 
Would force the Spanish and their allies bold 
To halt and fight for every foot of ground ! 
But when exhausted b}^ incessant fight, 
The fire of musketeers and cannons' blast. 
And mailclad steeds, and cavaliers and spears 
Would then compel the enemy's retreat. 
And just in time to save from fatal rout 
The Spanish forces and the allied troops, 

No superstitious dread of mailclad horse; 
Three killed they of those fearful beasts of war, 
While muskets' rattle, cannons' awful wreck, 
Nor anything pertaining to the war 
Could frighten into panic those brave men 
Of stanch Tlascala, freedom's mountain home; 
And Hernan Cortes murmured to himself, 
"With such troops added, conquest were assured !" 



65 



So battle followed battle day and night, 

Till all exhausted, wounded, hundreds slain, 

The Spanish and their allies, in despair. 

Besought their chief to save them by retreat; 

For Cortes forces were in far worse state 

Than on that "Melancholy Night" to come. 

But, strange to state, with the next morning's dawn, 

From the Republic came an embassage, 

With offer of alliance 'gainst their foes, 

The Aztec rulers of the other states. 

And then upon the twenty- third of June, 
In fifteen hundred, nineteen, christian year, 
.A monster celebration there was held, 
And soldiers, lately hostile, friendly joined, 
And all the region rang again with joy ! 
And as that festal day comes round each year 
Tlaxcala celebrates her jubilee, 
A joyous holiday throughout the state. 

When Montezuma heard the startling news, 
That in a few short days had Cortes won, 
Complete his triumph over mountaineers. 
Where Aztecs failed for full two hundred years, 
His courage fled, and asked he then the whites 
To visit him within his capitol. 

Then setting out for Mexico in force, 

With full six thousand soldiers of the tribe, 

Auxiliaries of Cortes' Spanish troops, 

They marched for conquest, gold and to convert 

The heathen peoples unto Christian rites ; 

For what has made fierce wars and wrath increase 

Than the dear name of Jesus, Prince of Peace? 

And so they marched with musket, spear and sword 

To spread the Saviour's Kingdom all abroad. 

Or perish battling bravely for the Lord, 

To fight like demons for Christ's loving word. 

(126) Yet later still the highborn cavaliers 
Of England willingly would wade in gore, 
In brave defence of rubrics of the church ; 
But keeping them was not in all their thoughts. 



66 



Then Cortes' army entered Mexico, 
And such the awe inspired by their great name 
That Montezuma lioused the Spanish troops 
Within a goodly palace built of stone, 
Tlascalans quartered in the outer court ; 
Five hundred Spanish, bravest of the brave; 
For chivalry was still a pow'r in Spain 
And death was preferable to cowardice : 
Six thousand bold Tlascalans best in fight 
Of all the Indians throughout the world : 
And o'er the whole the Spanish flag unfurled. 

(141) We pass a score of prominent events 
Except to say, with only twelve score men 
Bold Cortes marched and slew or captured all 
The thousand troops, from Cuba's Spanish Isle, 
And sent to overthrow, and Cortes take 
Back to Cuba a prisoner of war. 
But Cortes won the day and then the troops 
All joined his band as allies and stanch friends, 
Returned with him to Mexico's stone fort, 
Frepared to meet the Aztec hosts anew 
And all the Aztec cannibals subdue. 

(150) But during Cortes' absence from the fort 

Rash Alvarado, blond "child of the sun," 

Left in command of the allied troops. 

In Mexico's proud city of the Isle, 

Had slain the Aztec nobles, lords and chiefs 

Within the temple of the Aztec god 

Where they had met at Alverado's word. 

Which falsehood woke the wrath of Aztecs all 

Who made their fierce attacks in hosts so vast. 

That barely were the heathen beaten back ; 

And Cortes realized the solemn truth 

That from the city, by the shortest path. 

They soon should flee the cannibals' wild wrath. 

(163) True, Aztec words were ever false; for they 
E'er thought to gain by falsehood and deceit ; 
Yet this false act was by them unforgiven, 
And from the capital must now be driven. . 



67 



(167) So just at midnight, on July the first. 
In fifteen hundred, twenty, christian year, 
Brave Cortes with his eighty mail-clad horsemen, 
A score of cannon and a thousand whites, 
Six thousand half-nude bold Tlascalan troops 
Began, by narrow causeway, their retreat 
Upon that awful "Melancholy Night." 
Yet all its sufferings and all its woes 
Made doubly sure their triumph o'er their foes! 
Just as we all learn wisdom from defeat, 
So Cortes learned rich lessons from retreat 
And through it made his conquest all complete ! 
Although a dread affliction in their eyes. 
It proved a wondrous blessing in disguise ! 
Just as all ships and troops from Cuba sent, 
On Cortes' utter swift destruction bent, 
Augmented well his force in each event. 

(184) Then as the army issued to the street 

And to Tlacopan Causeway took its course. 

It found the city wrapped in slumbers deep ; 

But reaching soon the causeway's first canal 

They heard the sound of their fierce must'ring foes, 

y\nd then the dreadful beat of temple drum. 

To rouse the Aztec warriors to the fray. 

And take full vengeance on their fleeing foes. 

The lake was swarming with light, fragile boats. 
And on all sides and rear in fierce assault 
Hung quarter million Aztecs crazed with rage 
And seeming bent to sell their lives in fight 
Or ere the morn destroy the fleeing host ; 
And vying all to do and dare the most. 

( 198 ) Across the first canal a good stanch bridge 
Was thrown and all the armv soon passed o'er; 
But there the bridge stuck fast and second breach 
Was wide and deep and proved impassable 
Until the wagons, cannons, baggage went 
To fill the gulf and make a passageway ; 
And in that breach were cases of pure gold. 
And every musket helped to fill the gap. 

All discipline seemed gone, and each man 
Appeard intent to leave the jilace alive 



68 



And still such bond of union 'mong them all 

That thousands risked their lives for comrade's sake — 

And the retreating hosts courageous fought, 

And at each thrust of spear and flashing blade 

An Aztec warrior staggered down to death. 

And while the peril'ed troops for safety fled 

The path they left was sowed with Aztec dead ; 

And thus the fight raged on without a pause, 

Amid the drizzling misty falling sleet, 

Until the grey of morning tinged the east, 

And grim Death gorged then ended his foul feast. 

(215) Yet in that awful "Melancholy Night" 

Such deeds of valor and unselfish acts 

Were there performed that covered them with glory, 

And Spanish chivalry her name enhanced. 

When Cortes learned the rear was doomed to death 

Unless some speedy aid was given them, 

He headed a small band of cavaliers 

Who fought their way through swarms of Aztecs fierce 

And rescued those in peril from sure death ; 

Then like true heroes fought back foot by foot 

Until brave Cortes was himself unhorsed 

And held within the clutch of Aztec troops. 

Thus in their power they might have slain him then ; 

But very vileness brought on them defeat. 

Infernal crimes insured their foes retreat. 

(230) Exulting now, with Cortes in their grasp. 

They would not slay, but kept him for their god. 

With fiendish mirth to torture their arch foe, 

A living sacrifce, and then to feast 

Upon his roasted body — sweet revenge ! 

But brief the captor's triumph ! Cortes men 

Struck down the victors and released their chief, 

On whom depended victory at last. 

And this brave instance was but one of scores 

Where Aztecs aided Spanish and their allies; 

Their heartless worship caused their own defeat 

And all unconscious aided the retreat. 

For 'stead of cutting down their foes at once 

They tried to capture for dread sacrifice. 



69 



(242) Again the Aztecs found at second breach 

Rich stores of gold and costly fabrics left; 

An incident which saved a thousand lives : 

So strong the avarice of savage tribes, 

They, in their greed for plunder, left their foes 

To pass less harrassed gap the third and last. 

And thus the "Melancholy Night" was past. 

(248) Then Cortes gazed upon his shattered force: 

No cannon left, the baggage wagons gone. 

And but a score of horses now remained. 

With not a single musket in the ranks, 

A.nd hundreds reeling from 'fatigue and wounds. 

Then as he gazed he murmured to himself, 
"Has God forsaken us in sorest need? 
Must these vile cannibals yet drive us home? 
Must we give up this garden land of earth? 
Lord, give me death ; but save us from defeat ! 
And may this prove, O Lord, our last retreat !" 

(259) And then the anguish of his soul found vent; 
The scalding tears rolled down his haggard face 
And groans he could not check stirred deep his breast, 
And all the world seemed moved with deep unrest. 
For Cortes pondered well how far estranged 
Tlascalans and the Aztecs? What return 
They'd make to overtures from Aztec lords. 
Such as they often made, then brushed aside 
The very day the Aztecs gained thereby? 
For every Aztec promise was a lie. 

(269) But brief was Cortes sad despairing mood; 
His mind ran o'er the late courageous fight : 
No coward in the ranks from Mother Spain, 
And no one quailed among Tlascalan hosts ; 
Such feats of valor, never yet excelled, 
Performed by every legion there and then ! 
Such loyalty was worth ten thousand men ! 

He found the remnant of his splendid troop 
Sufficient to contend with Aztec foes : 
His brave mailed cavaliers had hewn their way 
Through fiercest throngs of Aztecs who opposed, 
And cut them down by thousands in their path, 
And left the way for footmen to escape. 



70 



Strong Alvarado all unhorsed, alone 

Within the second breach placed firm his lance, 

And vaulting o'er he made his famous leap, 

And even to this day the noted spot 

Is called, bold "Alvarado's Leap." Escaped 

He fought his way to safety by his might. 

Yet high o'er all the feats performed that night, 
Stands that Tlascalans boldly cut their way 
J'iight through the thickest of the Aztec host ; 
Brought through in safety men and women prized ; 
Marina, lovely princess by them saved, 
And son and daughter of the monarch dead, 
And treasure large they guarded to the end : 
Tiascalan troops had miracles performed ! 
No bolder, braver men e'er marched to war ! 
How one was left alive was wonderous strange ! 

One novelist ends here the battle fought. 
As tho great Cortes forces were distraught. 
Proved all untrue by later deeds they wrought. 

(295) All drenched and weary, stiff and sore with wounds. 

The forces paused half dazed in sore distress, 

When Cortes saw on lofty holy mound 

A heathen temple filled with Aztec troops ; 

And could the armed defenders be dislodged, 

Salvation of his men would there be found; 

And heading a few troops he stormed the mound. 

(302) Expecting strong resistance from their foes. 

Yet up the steep the Spanish swiftly charged, 

And in the face of arrows, spears and rocks, 

They drove the foe before them from the hill. 

And gained possession of the place of need 

They dried their garments, dressed their wounds and ate 

Abundant food which seemed direct from heaven. 

And kneeling praised the Lord for succor given ! 

A miracle that, after such a night, 

They fought the battle and they won the fight ! 

And strange when Cortes forces made their halt 

The Aztec army dared not make assault ! 

No other reason has thus far been found — 

Than such vast hordes of Aztecs slain and drowned! 



71 



'Twas one vast slaughter of foul Aztec foes 
Whose bodies strewed the way in heaps and rows, 

(316) Cast down, but not destroyed, the army formed. 

Retreating from their foes, but not distraught. 

The wounded tenderly on litters laid ; 

No Spaniard nor an ally left to die. 

They marched their weary way for needed rest 

For blest Tlascala, yet in lessened force, 

In haste they took their toilsome, dreary course. 

(323) And now in brief we sketch the large events 

Ere Mexico's destruction came to pass : 

Two hundred thousand in Otumba's vale 

Disputed Cortes' passage to Tlascala, 

Of whom were many thousands slaughtered there, 

Their royal banner captured there and then. 

The Aztec chief was slain by Cortes' hand ; 

The troops, though weary, chance for slaughter found, 

And twice ten thousand Aztecs strewed the ground. 

And these the troops that some narrators say 

"Were rendered helpless and who courage lacked : 

If wishes of these writers were but facts 

The battle of Otumba had not been ; 

Instead the bellies of the cannibals 

Had proved the graves and tombs of Cortes' hosts. 

Then undisputed Cortes reached the land 
Of his Tlascalan troops and rested there. 

Yet though the Aztecs for two hundred years 
Had fought Tlascala in most vengeful hate 
They brazen came in the disguise of friends 
Proposed alliance 'gainst the white man's arms; 
But such proposals woke Tlascalan scorn. 

Then fifty thousand bold Tlascalans joined, 
Brave Cortes with his eighty mail-clad horse, 
A score of cannon and twelve hundred whites, 
Two hundred musketeers and countless soears. 
We merely state in brief some great events : 
And how supplies from Cuba strangely came, 
Tho mostly sent against him, proved his aid; 
Flow many tribes and soldiers joined the ranks. 
Till to one hundred thousand swelled the force ; 



72 



How many states with Aztec tyrants broke 
And gladly millions spurned the galling yoke, 
And haughty Aztec rulers learned that law 
Obeyed through fear alone was but a straw, 
And vassals, by the million far and near. 
Then gladly spurned the galling rule of fear. 
Now that protection from their foes was near. 

(342) And Cortes army swelled to numbers vast: 

Eight hundred Spanish, hundred mail-clad horse, 

Two hundred musketeers and fifty cannon, 

Immense supplies, an hundred thousand foot, 

And lords and nobles of the friendly states, 

With banners waving, thousands decked with flowers, 

And sounds of cheer and shouts of exultation, 

'Mid war cries, revelry and mirth, they marched, 

Tlascalans shouting "Castile and Tlascala !" 

To capture Mexico, the capital. 

And temple of Huitzel, god of war, 

Within whose hand the censer, always held, 

Was filled with human hearts their god to please 

Of those men sacrificed by priest that day, 

Of whose cooked bodies Aztecs graced ther feast, 

Except when scarce, and then they cooked their slaves; 

The Aztec bellies were the prisoners' graves. 

(359) Then Cortes' army camped before the place 

And widened every causeway for assault. 

And soon arrived the thirteen brigantines 

(By Martin Lopez builded well and rigged) 

From over mountains, plains, full twenty leagues. 

Upon the backs of hardy native troops, 

A feat of war in history unmatched. 

And showing plain that Cortes' conqu'ring name 

Should rank with Hannibal and Caesar's fame. 

(367) But was this war of conquest justified, 
Accounting e'en the good of it that came? 
To which the answer : Think of Palistine, 
Our Indians driven from their native lands; 
Yea, how great Jefferson once bought of France 
Our Eouisana, ruled for many years, 
Without a word from either tan or white 
What were their wish regarding rule and law. 



73 



We bought Alaska and, without a word 

Or question, governed all as we thought best. 

Yet to this day on conquered, stolen lands, 

We prate and harp and write, in brazen pride, 

About the unjust conquest by the Jews 

And Spanish ! Then we lift up holy hands 

And raise our pious eyes in righteous gaze. 

And, making broad our own phylacteries, 

We thank the Lord we're not as other men, 

But unlike publicans of other climes. 

Who kill and conquer heathen for their lands. 

Well, human nature is the same to-day 

As when first man was made of earthly dust : 

We may be higher, but not angels yet ; 

But earthy of the earth we still are born. 

The knotty question here I bid adieu, 

And leave the problem to be solved by you. 

(391) Twelve brigantines were launched upon the lake. 

On whom depended victory the most. 

East vessel with one cannon for attack 

And as the waters swarmed with light canoes, 

The Aztec boats were riddled, warriors drowned. 

And then the vessels cleared the causeways, too. 

While horse and foot beat Aztecs to the square 

Of their great city whence they burned the house 

Of human slaughter to the god of war 

Whose frightful image, with its awful dish 

Of human hearts, was tumbled from its throne. 

And thousands of the Aztecs met their death. 

So easy seemed the havoc of the fight. 
O'er confident the forces marched next day ; 
Precaution lacking, thought of no retreat, 

One of the three assaulting columns risked 
Too great and fiercely, sorely were they pressed 
And driven back ; retreat became a rout 
With many slain and many prisoners left 
All sacrificed unto Huitzel god ; 
Then cannibal prized feasts of Spanish troops 
In tender roasts and broils and boils and soups. 



74 



Inagining the allies were well cowed, 
To hasten and ensure their swift defeat 
And loose besiegers' ties, the Aztec priests 
Proclaimed that in eight days their hated foes 
Would be o'erthrown and Anahuac be free; 
And great Huitzel gorge himself with gore.' 
And such the awe this prophecy inspired 
One hundred thousand allies started home. . 
But Cortes waited till the days expired 
When allies all ashamed returned to camp, 
And then began anew the awful siege 
And sore destruction of the Aztec race. 

With.acqueduct destroyed and food cut off, 
Foul water and foul food, and famine spread 
And daily hundreds starved, and pestilence 
Spread day and night, and allied charges were 
Mere slaughter of their foes weak, starving troops, 
^i he heathen temples were all swept away 
Their bamboo houses for the cage of birds 
And all their public buildings were destroyed ; 
Yea, their rich city, best in western world. 
Was but rude heaps of mortar, stone and' waste. 
And rags and pestilence and famine reigned 
When captured Gautemozin emperor, 
And then the fighting ceased and men had rest, 
And to the God of heaven their thanks expressed. 

(437) Three months had slowly passed since siege began 

Three months in which stupendous works were wrought 

But now the Spanish triumph was complete 

Except secured they very little gold ; 

But allies captured plunder which they prized; 

In quantities immense to carry home; 

Tlascalans doubtless joyed the most o'f all ; 

Their ancient foes were trodden in the dust, 

A foe whose army numbered more than all ' 

The people of Tascala old and young; 

Like Montenegro 'gainst the cruel Turk, 

Had they stood firm for full two hundred years. 

And yielded not the freedom of their land; 

Their loved Republic stood through all those years ; 

Their banners ne'er were struck to Aztec hordes ! 

And now they triumphed over vaunting lords! 

And chanted high their victories abroad. 



75 



(452) But on the very night that triumph came. 

As if to teach the victors not to boast, 

And show the vanquished vain their feeble strength, 

An exhibition strange old Nature gave : 

A tropic storm. terrific broke o'erhead, 

The sky was black except when lightnings flashed, 

And blazed and flamed atwart the frowning clouds 

And thunder, louder than their cannons' roar. 

Went rolling crashing through the midnight sky, 

And earth itself seemed jostled out of place 

And all the elements in raging war, 

And flashed and crashed in combat near and far. 

(463) And then the allied celebration came 
And cannon roared and sent forth flames of joy, 
Tlascalan banners waved and Spanish flags. 
And chants and songs ascended from the hosis. 
And battle cries and revelry's loud shouts : 
"Castile and Tlascala!" "San Jago, hail!" 
And to the victors then belonged the joy ; 
And gladness for the time knew no alloy. 
(471) Republic of Tlascala's mountaineers, 
Embraced the Christian faith, and for her aid 
Had privileges granted by the crown, 
Remains a small republic to this day. 

(475.) Great Cortes builded Mexico anew. 
Which stands a monument of wondrous skill. 
Attests the greatness of the conqueror. 

When he returned to Spain his cavalcade 
In which were Mexican proud lords all clad 
In native costume rich and costly decked ; 
And cheering crowds lined all the way he took. 
And eager to catch sight of the great chief 
Who added to the crown such wondrous realm ! 
And joyous plaudits told how great revered 
Was he in all the Spanish people's eyes. 

And then the king did welcome him and grant 

Great honors and emoluments of land 

And titles of esteem for his great feat 

Of adding glory, riches and domain 

To happy Spain which then in glory reigned. 



76 



(491^ And when returned to Mexico's fair realm, 

From his arrival at old Vera Cruz, 

Until he reached the capital he built, 

The natives thronged the route he took, and lords 

And chiefs and people, old and young, all vied 

To show their admiration and their love. 

And hailed him the Deliverer of the land. 

And while he lived, beloved by natives all, 

Were Indians in need of any friend, 

They ever looked to Cortes till his death : 

He proved their faithful friend to his last breath! 

(502) God was weary of awful Aztec crimes, 

And in his providence decreed the end 

Of human slaughter houses of the realm. 

Of cannibal foul feasts throughout the land, 

And while the remedy was war and blood 

And cruel sufferings of those engaged 

For progress gains with pains are ever joined. 

Foundations then were laid of better things 

And Mexico is rising year by year 

Now ruled in justice, not by abject fear. 

Good Father Almedo, best of monks and priests, 

So pure, so gentle, every inch a man. 

We must not slight, nor here neglect to state 

The blessed christian counsel which he gave, 

And curbed and softened overzealous bent 

Of Cortes and his troops throughout the war. 

And bade them not rejoice o'er fallen foes ; 

But thank the Lord for all his kindly care ; 

Marina, Princess, we must not forget 
Her pleadings for her race were not in vain, 
How oft she softened many harsh decrees 
For "all her failings leaned to mercy's side." 
And yet she mingled in the thickest fight 
Encouraged and inspired despairing troops. 
Endured their hardships and their perils too 
Through the whole conquest went and all unscathed. 

(512) Long may the memory of Cortes live, 
And Mexicans due praise and honor give. 
He was severe when forced to be severe ; 
With mercy, love and kindness always near ; 



77 



His friendship was e'er steadfast to the end; 

To high and low he proved himself the friend; 

Away the lowest man he never turned; 

Yea, even Aztec foes were never spurned. 

He seemed of fortune heaven's favored son 

He thought an action and the deed was done ; 

All men who knew him found themselves were won ! 

There was about himself a wondrous way, 

Impressing all who met him day by day 

That he was not like men of common clay ! 

A true nobility of sterling worth 

Within his inmost soul there dwelt from birth, 

That stamped him one to swav the men of earth! 

His name 'mong greatest warriors e'er should stand ; 
Born to lead armies, and born to command ; 
May countless generations, yet unborn, 
With richest honors his great name adorn. 
May Mexico in glory ever shine ; 
Tlascala e'er be crowned with bliss divine ; 
And coming ages hear their loud acclaim, 
"Great Herman Cortes we revere thy name !'' 
And all the land, he freed from Aztec sway, 
Be lighted by the Lord's eternal day ; 
Send her wise rulers guided from above, 
(532), Make her the land of righteousness and love 

The End. 



78 



NOTES ON CORTES' CONQUEST OF MEXICO. 

Without wading through volumes, a good idea is here 
given, in a few pages, of the marvelous, not to say miraculous. 
Conquest of Mexico by Hernan Cortes. 

The author has taken especial pains to portray the won- 
derful narrative in plain, simple, unpretentious English easily 
understood by common people. 

Tuscuco Lake, which converted the City of Mexico into 
an island, has dried up and disappeared. 

Cannibalism was introduced by the fierce Aztecs who came 
from the north about the year 1250 and forced the worship of 
Huitzel upon all their vassals, and such was the influence of 
the Aztecs that even their bitterest foes, the Tlascalans, became 
cannibals. And during the siege of Mexico the allies of Cortes 
all ate human flesh, a practice which the great conqueror dared 
not prohibit entirely until the conquest was complete. 

Cortes' troops picked up, from the trenches around the 
sacred altar of Huitzel, over 100,000 heads and skulls of vic- 
tims sacrificed to this horrible looking idol. The stench of the 
Holy Temple was like that of our common slaughter houses 
except stronger and more putrid, thousands of rotting heads 
having lain there for months while the trenches were filled 
with fresh, putrid and clotted blood. The carcasses had been 
removed and eaten by the Aztecs. Nothing of the victims, 
therefore, remained except the heads and the fresh human 
hearts in the censer held in the hand of the idol. 
Some small tribes were kept in store as reservoirs from 
which to obtain victims for sacrifices, feasts, slaves and sup- 
plies for harems when other sources furnished less than usual. 

Notwithstanding their fierceness and cruelty the Aztecs 
.were kind fathers and friendly to relatives, loyal to their nation 
and their emperor and possessed consideiable skill in architec- 
ture, featherwork and working silver and gold ornaments, 
probably learned from the Toltecs whose ability as builders is 
proverbial. 

The mild, loving Toltecs settled in Mexico during 'the 
seventh century and probably builded the great mounds. Their 
religious offerings were grain, flowers, etc. ; not even beasts 
were ever sacrificed, much less human beings. The legend of 
the White Ruler like the Nazarine was doubtless an enlarged 
story of some great and good Toltec Priest and Prince whose 
goodness and abnormal wisdom and ability as a leader won the 
admiration, love and devotion of several tribes and whose re- 
ligion of love was such a strong protest against that of the 
fierce Aztecs that the very thought of such a faith supplanting 
the worship of Huitzel awoke the deepest enmity of the Aztec 
priesthood, nobles and warriors of the whole tribe. 



79 



There must have been something wonderfully attractive in 
the manner and character of the ereat Cortez, great personal 
magnetism to have won the love and admiration of his soldiers 
and allies, a confidence he retained to the day of his death 
which was sincerely mourned by the Indians throughout Mex- 
ico who always looked to him as their best and greatest friend. 

Just before the seige of Mexico began Cortes and a divi- 
sion of his army, Spanish and allies, marched around the city 
during which a score of hard fought battles occurred with 
Cortes always in the thick of the fight and always victorious. 

During this circuit of the capital there were frequent chal- 
lenges and duels between Aztecs and Tlascalan warriors. These 
single combats were conducted strictly in accordance with the 
code of honor. The Aztecs were arrogant and courageous 
while the Tlascalans were fearless, always courting danger and 
never satisfied unless Cortes assigned them to positions of the 
greatest peril. Tlascalans were the better warriors. 

Unfortunately for antiquarians and many investigators of 
monumental temples and buildings which proved that the Mexi- 
cans possessed a civilization far hif^her than the Indians of our 
States and Canada, such was the superstition and execration in 
which all heathen religions were held by the Spanish conquer- 
ers that almost any edifice devoted to the old Mexican religion 
and the emblems, however admirable the workmanship, were 
doomed to destruction, leaving little save the miserable huts 
and other buildings of no importance which leave an exceed- 
ingly poor and unfair impression of the excellencies of Mex- 
ican civilization. 

But some idea of the advanced civilization and skill of the 
Toltecs, however, may be gained by reading of the ruins of 
magnificent temples and edifices builded by the Toltecs in 
Central America and Yucatan to which regions that architec- 
tural race emigrated from Mexico. 



80 



THE BIRD'S CONCERT. 

By Alexander Streeter Arnold. 

The birds gave a concert, entirely free, 
Right in a great, tall, green sycamore tree; 
Thrushs and robins and blue birds together, 
Dressed in their gayest and gaudiest feather. 

The blackbirds and orioles came with the crowd, 
The larks and the robins looking so proud ; 
The sparrows and bluejays flocked with the rest, 
And all were determined to do just their best. 

The Lord sent the singers without a cent's fee ; 
The poorest were welcome ; the concert was free ; 
So folks came to hear from country and cities, 
To hear the Lord's choir warble their ditties. 

How lucky, how fortunate ! no one was there 
With rifle or shot-gun the poor birds to scare, 
Or kill them or wing them, that some couldn't fly. 
But hide in the thickets to linger and die. 

And no vivisectionist was there to lynch 
And take them and cut them alive inch by inch 
And call such slow torture of birds scientific. 
Enjoying with black-hearted foulness terrific. 

Such men are cowards ; for there is not one 
Who dares to let kind-hearted people look on ! 
But secretly work out their satanic fun ; 
For at the word Public these poltroons all run ! 

But none save the kind-hearted people were there. 
And so the birds flocked so lovely and fair; 
And all the folks listened while all the birds sung, 
And this is the way the concert begun : — 

The robins led off and pitched the tunes high ; 
The larks went soaring up to the skv ; 
And voices of blackbirds and blue birds all blended, 
And everyone said the concert was splendid ! 



82 



JAKE'S MISHAP IN HIS BUCKSKIN PANTS. 
By AIvSxander S. Arnold, Woonsocket, R. I. 

Written on one of the hottest days of July on the train from 
Boston to Pawtucket. 

The day was awful hot ! The swelt'ring heat 

Just roasted all who dared to walk the street, 

And old Sol laughed to see the folks perspire 

While heavy cakes of ice almost took fire; 

The very bricks and stones would burn your hands, 

And children's feet were blistered on the sands; 

The fattest man in town — it was so hot — 

Just melted down in one great greasy spot: 

You never knew it hotter'n all your days ; 

Yet hot and hotter glared the sun's bright rays ! 

The shingles on the house-tops cracked and curled, 

The wilted forest leaves to earth were hurled, 

The constalks rolled and withered in the sun, 

And still the god of day went roasted on, 

And burned and scorched and baked and toasted all 

In field or highwway, cot or palace hall ; 

But strangest of events, beyond dispute, 

Was Jake's mishap clothed in his buckskin suit ! 

The day wore on and Jake the warmer grew 

Till he felt he was roasting through and through ; 

He could not stand the heat ; he must get cool. 

So jumped all over in a spacious pool. 

Then swam ashore, the careless, thoughtless man, 

Not realizing what a risk he ran ; 

One minute more "his pants had dried, he found, 

And shrank so tight they raised him from the ground. 



S3 



He wildly shrieked for help ; the people came 

And tried to stop his flight, but all in vain ; 

For up and up he soard till hid from view 

By dense, dark clouds that soaked him through and through; 

His buckskins then relaxed, and down he went 
Swift as a bullet from a rifle sent; 
And folks expected he'd dash out his brains ; 
But old Sol dried his pants, and up again 
He rose balloonlike until hid from view ; 
But what became of him nobody knew. 

His children cried and sobbed, his wife wept sore ; 
But husband and father returned no more : 
Still children and the wife this solace found — 
The lost and well belov'd went up, not down : 
Yet to this day no man, in all those haunts, 
Dares wear in summer his buckskin pants ! 



INVASION OF VALLEY FALLS BY TURKEY AND 
CAPITULATION OF FORT ARNOLD. 

By Ai^exander S. Arnoi^d, Woonsocket, R. I. 

Explanation. — Just before Christmas, 1877, Senator Joshua Wilbour 
and wife of Bristol left a large turkey at the residence of Mr. Arnold, 
who was absent at the time. The war of 1877, between Russia and 
Turkey, had just ended in the humiliating defeat of the Moslems, and 
this poem was composed and mailed to Senator Wilbour and wife a few 
days later. 

Twas night and all without was dark and gloom 
Except the twinkling stars ; there was no moon 
To gleam on mansion, cot or palace halls 
And light the sombre eve in Valley Falls : 
No earthquake shock, no lurid lightning flame 
Athwart the azure blue in warning came 
Foretelling fearful dangers lurking near 
To ushtr in the reign of dread and fear : 
Life's river flowed in calm and peaceful stream 
All through the fated place and who could dream. 
Or who, on fancy's utmost mountain height. 
Could e'er foretell the horrors of that night? 

One million and a half of Russians brave 

Rolled from the northern clime, like tidal wave; 

They left their native plains and southward flew 

A mighty deluge o'er the Danube blue ; 

Still onward through Belgrade like ocean's flow 

They hurl their cohorts on the Moslem foe. 

Ho ! Kars has fallen ! Plevna, too, gives way ! 

On through the Balkans with resistless sway 

Victorious Russian eagles float on high, 

And Turkish legions must submit or die. 

The Mufti calls the faithful all to prayer, 

And all the faithful to the mosque repair ; 

For fell disaster on each breeze is borne. 

And Moslems feel that "man was made to mourn." 



85 



Ah, who would think while such defeat befalls 
The ^Turk, that, marching on to Valley Falls, 
Defeated Turkey woud invade the village, 
Exposing every dwelling there to pillage ? 
Yet bleeding, suff'ring still from fell defeat; 
Aye, Turkey, flying in her sore retreat, 
Marched in mad haste to the castle walls 
Of Fortress Arnold, right in Valley Falls. 
Dark was the night and darker yet the hour 
When Arnod's fortress fell before the power 
Of Turkish foe; for vain were all defence: 
Such are the mystic ways of Providence ! 

When Arnold turned him to his castle walls 

He stepped within capitulated halls. 

And heard with anxious heart from his good dame 

Who told him how the fell disaster came. 

Tho' vanquished, he yet turned with haughty pace, 

Undaunted met the foeman face to face 

And shouted in defiance, "Wife, why zounds! 

This Turkey'U turn the scales at sixteen pounds !" 

But truth, tho' crushed to earth, shall rise again 

And e'en the vanquished often turn the bane 

To glorious revenge, throw ofif the yoke 

And deal with heart and hand the victor stroke! 

So Christmas day, well roasted, cooked complete. 

Proud Turkey bowed ignoble to defeat. 



THE OLD TOWN OF PUNKWOOD. 

By William Edzvard Penny. 
Revised and Enlarged by Alex. S. Arnold. 

The old, old burg of Punkvvood Town, 
Where everything is tumbling down, 

On the banks of the river Slow, 
Where blooms the wait-awhile flowers so fair, 
'Vhere sometime-or-others purfume tine air. 
And the by-and-by popies luxuriate there. 

And the mushy-go-easies grow. 

In the stagnant pools of Vain Excuse 

And the dismal swamps of What's-the-Use? 

Near the slime pits of Let-Her-Slide. 
That dreamy tired feeling is native there, 
And never-mind measles pervade the ai: 
In mud-huts, built by I-Don't-Care, 

The Give-Ups all abide. 

'Twas built with dry-rot lumber and mud. 
Several ages before the flood, 

Mildewed by listless years ; 
'Tis hazy with fogs of idle dreams. 
And nothing ever is what it seems, 
And its streets are furrowed with foolish schemes^ 

And muddy with maudlin tears. 

Idle braggarts and learned fools, 
And shallow schemers and selfish soul^' 

Are loafing round about ; 
The rest of the sillies are on review. 
But never anything useful or new, 
And one class is never among the crew; 

For the fool-killer there is barua^ out. 



87 



The Town of Punkwood is all hemmed in, 
Surrounded closely by the Mountains of Sin 

And the barren Hills of Despair; 
No sentinels stand on her gloomy walls ; 
No trumpet to battle and triumph calls ; 
But people mope and cringe and crawl; 

For none but cowards are there. 

But there's a town where good is alive, 
Where thev toil and thrive like bees in a hive, 

Where brave men tread the sod ; ; 
Where they vie with each other in friendly strife, 
Where call to duty the bugle and fife. 
Where they fight like heroes the battle of life. 

Do good and honor God ! 

If from the dead-alive Punkwood Town, 
Where everything is tumbling down, 

You would ever keep away ; 
Just do your duty through good and ill. 
Nor leave God's highway tho steep the hill. 
Take this for your motto: "Through God I will. 

Aye, lead a good life each day!" 



88 



THREE CHEERS FOR GOOD ROTGUT 
By Alex S. Arnold, Woonsocket, R.~ I. 

Three cheers for good rotgut, 

And plenty of beer, 
And pure Jersey hghtning 

That comes mighty dear ! 
'Tis made of pure dyestuffs, 

Blue ruin and soap; 
That all may have plenty 

Let us fondly hope ! 

Pure rotgut is made boys, 

In every rum-hole. 
And costs near a penny 

Each glass that is sold ; 
The soap makes the bead, 

And the dyestuffs are fine; 
Ye lovers of rotgut, 

Come fall into line ! 

Hurrah for the widows 

The rumsellers make ; 
And for drunkard makers 

Our money to take ! 
And cold, hungry children 

With scarcely a rag, 
Hurrah for the thousands 

With rotgut gone mad ! 

Yes ; cheer for good rotgut 

And harvest in jails, 
And State Farms and paupers; 

The crop never fails ; 
Big taxes and drunkards. 

And hunger and rags. 
And landlords with greenbacks 

And two-forty nags ! 



89 



And when the last penny, 

For benzine and rum, 
Is gone, and so thirsty — 

'Tis then comes the fun, 
Old broken-down drunkards, 

So thirsty and poor, 
How kindly the landlord 

Kicks out of the door! 

Three times three for those 

Who sell rotgut to thrive, 
To set husbands crazy 

And then beat their wives ! 
And those who let buildings 

That rum may be sold, 
To turn out the drunkards 

In numbers untold ! 



90 



THE SPIDER AND THE FLY. 
Revised Version by Alex. S. Arnold. 

"Will you walk into my parlor?" 

Said the spider to the fly ; 
' 'Tis the prettiest little parlor 

That ever you did spy. 
You have only got to pop your head 

Just inside of the door 
And you'll see so many curious things 

You never saw before ! 

Refrain : Will you will you, will you will you 
Walk in, Air. Fly? 
■Will you, will you, will you, will you 
Walk in, Mr. Fly?" 

"Will you walk into my parlor — 

Ah, so beautiful to see ! — 
And take a glass of lager 

As fine as fine can be? 
It will take away your troubles, 

It will take away your pains ; 
And after you have quafifed a glass 

You'll long to drink again. 

Refrain : Will you, will you, etc. 

Will you walk into my parlor 

And there join our merry crew 
Where ale, and wine and lagei* beer 

Your spirits will renew? 
The mirrors and the furnishings 

Are at your service free. 
And all the men who visit us 

Are jolly as can be ! 

Refrain: Will you, will you, etc. 



91 



Soon the spider never asks him, 

"Will you walk in, Mr. Fly?" 
For appetite has bound him fast; 

He cannot say, "Good-bye !" 
Tho oft he tries to fly away, 

He finds his wings caught fast ; 
The spider laughs, "Ha ! ha ! my boy, 

Fve caught you, sir, at last! 

Refrain : Will you, will you, etc. 

Now, all you young, take warning, 

And you older ones likewise ; 
Don't linger round the liquor dens, 

Nor sins in pleasures guise ; 
For in those haunts of sin and shame 

Lurk spiders night and day ; 
To catch the silly human flies. 

They call them in this way : — 

Refrain : Will you, will you, will you, will you 
Walk in, Mr. Fly? 
Will you, will you, will you, will you 
Walk in, Mr. Fly? 



92 



THE FARMER BOY'S COURTSHIP. 

An Unfinished Poem 
By Alex. S. Arnold and Dr. Hawkes. 

The Farmer Boy his seed did sow, 

And milked the cow and fed the sow; 

When love's dart came from Cupid's bow, 
And to the girl's charms he did bow. 

One day the grass the boy did mow. 
The next day pitched it on the mow, 

Next day o'er pond his girl did row 
And with a rival had a row. 

Still on the farm the grass he mowed. 
And in the barn the same he mowed, 

And then upon the pond he rowed, 
The same girl over whom he rowed. 

But going home she took the lead 
At which his spirits sank like lead; 

For when her face he tried to read 
He thought his sad fate there he read. 

But she was sly as any mouse. 
And had decided him to mouse, 

And asked him in her father's house 
Where all did him most kindly house. 

And later when his heart sunk lower, 
Because financial clouds did lower. 

She took him with her to the shower 
And smiles and gifts on him did shower. 

He then saw fretting was no use 
Since she did him so kindly use ; 

In thought he gave her no abuse 
Since she did never him abuse. 



93 



MAY BROWN.— PLAY ON WORDS. 

'- By Alexander Streeter Arnold. 

Woonsocket, R. I. 

In the fall of the year, near Bellows Falls, 

It fell out that I fell in with a maid 
Who made my heart near burst its walls, 

And so my fortunes at her feet were laid ; 
A.S autumns charming airs make leaf a stray-thing, 
May's charming airs soon made my heart a play-thing. 

And thus, while leaves were leaving fast the trees, 
And I had leave of absence for awhile, 

And hfe and health were in the autumn breeze, 
Did breezy May and I our hours beguile : 

"Twas plain to me I ought to love this beauty, 

And just as plain I justly did my duty. 

May Brown did me so brown with each brown eye. 

To miss this Miss were very sad mistake. 
Not to win this winsome lass, alas, were I 

But refuse ; should she refuse me and take 
Another' love her precious love to share ; 
How hard my fare rejected by this fair! 

Enchanting were the ways of May always, 
And swiftly how the hours of ours did pass ! 

We both were in sweet daze those blissful days 
And I beside myself beside this lass : 

Yes we two too well loved to part asunder. 

And vowed we'd become one, for I had won her. 

And so tho cash was close, but not close to, 
I to this maid made love and won this one, 

And last May May acknowledged it would do 
To hire a house that joy might higher run. 

All through our voyage o'er life's troubled sea : 

O may May's life and mine one May-day be! 



94 



THE PLEASURES OF FARMING. 

let me rise with the early bird, 
And inhale the morning gas, 

And watch while the farmer drives his herd 
Of grasshoppers out to grass. 

I'd gather fresh mush from the mushroon vine, 

And milk from the milkweed fair, 
And pick pineapples from the tall pitchpine, 

Churn butter from butterflies there. 

Let me go where the gooseberry grows on its goose, 
The strawberry grows on its straw. 

And the cat on its catnip is swinging loose, 
And rats eat rattan raw. 

The old crow crows as he soars and sows. 
And dogs eat dogwood with purest greed, 

While the woodchuck chucks his wood in the stove, 
And cows and cowlets on cowslips feed. 

The pinck perch perches on the tallest tree, 
But bulls and bullfrogs on bull-briars grow, 

While fresh fried fritters are frisking free, 
And the lovesick love-apple sings for her beau. 

1 love red herrings hanging o'erhead 
In red ripe clusters rich and fair, 

And pigs on pigweeds, pink and red, 

Hang ready to pick with pickaxes there. 

The old hen lays and cackles her lays, 

The children play crib on the top of the barn 

Then send them away from the city ways 
And learn the lessons that shield from harm. 

How shall our children, large or small. 

Forever good and happy be? 
By stealing apples in the fall 

And giving the best ones all to me. 



95 



BROWN CURLS. 

By Alex. S. Arnold 

Bring forth all the riches and honors of earth, 
All beauty, and wisdom, all joy, and all mirth; 
And there's nothing so charming, in life's busy 

whirl, 
As one little maid with her pretty brown curls. 

Of course you can't see her ^vith my partial eyes; 
Each word, each action so highly I prize! 
Or you would aver, not all other girls 
Can charm like the maid with her pretty brown 
curls. 

Her voice so beguiles, and her smile so entrancing. 
Each step and each motion her charms so enhanc- 
ing, 
No jewel, nor diamond, nor rarest of pearls. 
Can equal the maid with her pretty brown curls. 

Visit each city, and walk every street, 
And carefully note all the ladies you meet ; 
And you cannot compare the best of these girls, 
With one little maid with her pretty brown curls. 

Behold but the beauty and goodness I see, 
And feel but the kindness bestowed upon me; 
With your head and .your heart in such a strange 

whirl, 
You could see naught so charming as prett}^ brown 

curls. 

There are rich golden ringlets, and curls softly 

bright, 
And light silken tresses, and dark as the niglit ; 
But go through the eartli and collect all those girls. 
One maid outshines all with her pretty brown curls. 



96 



PLANT ONLY GOOD SEED. 
By Alexander Streeter Arnold. 
Plant only good seed, and God shall bless it ! 

Plant only good seed wherever you go ; 
And garden and field and vale shall caress it, 

And where'er you plant shall good harvests grow. 
Then sing and sow, and whistle and mow, 
Plant only good seed wherever you go, 
And praise God from whom all blessings flow ! 

Without one fear, for God is near, 

With heavenly yield your hearts to cheer; 

For He holds all His workers dear. 
And He shall reward you early ! 
Sometimes your crops shall be thirty fold, 

Sometimes sixty or a hundred gain ; 
Then plant good seed better than gold. 

And reap rich harvests to plant again. 
Then sing and sow, etc. 
Plant among strangers and foes and friends, 

In church, in home, in the broad highway; 
For aid and blessing God e'er lends 

To faithful workers who God obey. 
Then sing and sow, etc. 
Then plant in faith, nor plant in vain, 

Plant the seeds of truth and love. 
And God shall give you golden grain 

Both here below and heaven above. 
Then sing and sow, etc. 
Yea, plant and sow, tho it be in tears, 

Tho rocky and sterile the soil appears ; 
For God is with you ; dismiss your fears 

And with rich harvests your hearts shall cheer. 
Then sing and sow, etc. 
Through days and weeks and years sow on ! 

In sunshine and shade, smiles and weeping; 
And you shall see the victory won. 

You shall have joy in bountiful reaping. 
Then sing and sow, and whistle and mow, 
Plant only good seed wherever you go, 
And praise God from whom all blessings flow! 

Without one fear, for God is near. 
With heavenly yield vour hearts shall cheer ; 

For He holds all His workers dear, 
And He shall reward you early ! 

97 



THE SPIRITUAL REALM. 

By Alex. S. Arnold. 

"There is a Spirit in man and the inspiration of 
the Almighty giveth it understanding." — ^Job T)^ : 8. 

The Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, shall 
teach you all things." — John 14 : 26. 

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long- 
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." — Gal. 5 : 22. 

Look not afar for the Spirit-land, 

That home of the soul so wondrously grand; 

For that realm is always near ; 
By the Spirit's power the soul sails o'er 
The waves of sin to the Faith-land shore 
Where loving hearts sick souls restore 

And the sad and fainting cheer. 

Immortal joys this realm surround, 
With glorious souls its fields abound, 

And glow in the smile of God ; 
Minist'ring Spirits people the air, 
And love and kindness are native there. 
While sorely tested ne'er despair, 

But joy beneafh the rod ! 

All those who dwell in this fair realm, 
Have faith that ill cannot overwhelm 

While warring with sin and hell; 
Tireless sentries, both day and night, 
Man the walls of this castle of light. 
And cry the hour from rampart's heightj 

Proclaiming: "All is well!" 

Or ring the alarum bell's clear sound, 

And warriors all at their posts are fcnmd 

As the hosts of sin draw near : 
Clear trumpets sound the battle call, 
"On to the contest one and all !" 
And God's true soldiers man the wall. 
Warriors who know no fear! 



98 



There are Sunday Schools in this fair clime. 
Where teachers come in faith sublime, 

In the Spirit's power they come ; 
Not I-don't-want-tos, I'd-rather-nots ; 
But souls staid on our solid Rock, 
Who with God's forces cast their lot, 
And cheer their brigades on ! 

There are churches in this Spirit world. 
Whose banners never shall be furled; 

Each soul truth's falchion draws ; 
Scarred veterans and raw recruits. 
And men who once were human brutes. 
In the Spirit's strength, bold, resolute, 
* Now fight for God's own cause ! 

Yet millions more admire the walls 
While heeding not the Spirit's calls, 

Half willing, still outside 
Among the mass where self is rife, 
And heeding only worldly strife, 
And missing truest bliss of life 

Amid the worldly tide! 

Ye soldiers of the Heavenly King, 
Let shouts of triumph loudly ring, 

While angels view the fight, 
Let every duty be well done, 
Lentil the victory is won, 
And saints and angels cheer us on 

For God and truth and right! 

Jehovah calls ; on Him they w^ait ! 

Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates ! 

The Lord of hosts leads on ! 
God's heavenly host shall ne'er retreat! 
The King of kings know^s no defeat! 
His victory shall be complete! 

His battle shall be won! 



99 



CREEDS OF THE BELLS. 

Five First Verses by Geo. W. Bungay, Seven Last 
Verses by Alex. S. Arnold. 

The chiming- of the Sabbath Bells! 
Each one its Creed in music tells 
In tones that float along the air, 
As sweet as song, as pure as prayer; 
And I will put in simple rhymes 
The language of the golden chimes; 
My joyous heart responsive swells 
To the sweet language of the bells. 

EPISCOPALIAN. 
"In deeds of love excel ! excel !" 
Chimed out from ivied towers a l)cll ; 
"This is the church not built on sands, 
Emblem of one not built with hands; 
Its forms and sacred rights revere; 
Come worship here ! come worship here ! 
In rituals and faith excel !" 
Chimed out the Episcopalian bell. 



1 ()() 



BAPTIST. 

"Ye purifyiing waters, swell !" 
In mellow tones rang out a bell ; 
"Though faith alone in Christ can save, 
Man must be plunged beneath the wave, 
To show the world unfaltering faith 
In what the sacred Scripture saith ; 
O swell ! ye rising waters swell !" 
Pealed out the clear-toned Baptist bell. 

METHODIST. 
"To all the truth we tell ! we tell '. 
Shouted in ecstacies a bell ; 
"Come, all ye weary ones, and see ! 
Our Lord has made salvation free ! 
Repent, believe, have faith, and then 
Be saved and praise the Lord! Amen! 
Salvation's free; we tell! we tell!" 
Shouted the Methodist bell. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC. 
"All hail, ye saints in heaven, who dwell 
Close by the cross!" exclaimed a bell; 
"Lean o'er the battlements of bliss, 
And deign to bless a world like this! 
Let mortals kneel before the shrine. 
Adore the water and the wine ! 
All haii ye saints ! the chorus swell !" 
Chimed in the Roman Catholic bell. 

UNIVERSALIST. 
"Our God is love! All will be well! 
Through Jesus !" rang a cheerful bell : 
"GlorioUo Liiumpn! Lhrist shall win 
All souls! and cleanse each heart from sin! 
Be pure ; for this is heaven within ! 
But sin is hell and hell is sin ! 
Glad tidings tell, all will be well!" 
Rang- out the Universalist bell. 



101 



SEMI-HEATHE!^. 
"The Lord in wrath has built a hell 
To torment souls !" fierce tolled a bell ; 
"For dying wrong there's endless pain! 
Live wrong, die right and heaven gain ! 
God is wrath ! Live as you will ; 
But die correct, it's just as well! 
Live as you will ! die well or hell !" 
Fierce tolled the Semi-Heathen bell. 

IDOLATRY: 

Ye tribes of earth, 'tis ever well 
To ponder charms !" rang out a bell ; 
"With comets, plagues or earthquakes near, 
When wars and dangers strike with fear, 
The fearful gods are ever found 
At their dread idols ; gather round 
With gifts and victims ; worship there ; 
Their aid invoke, their curse beware ! 
For all their foes shall sink to hell !" 
Rang out the ancient Fetich bell. 

BRAHMAN. 
"Great Brah, the source of all, shall dwell 
In endless sleep!" exclaimed a bell; 
"Our creed is built with solid rocks 
And air our rites are orthodox ; 
Dare not provoke our Triad's wrath, 
Let rules of caste direct thy path ; 
Not deeds, but rites must save the soul 
And bring thee to thy final goal 
Where, merged in Brah, thy soul shall dwell!' 
Tolled out the Brahmanistic bell. 

BUDDHISM. 
"Life is a curse ! but all was well 
When life was not !" said a mild bell ; 
"No birth nor death, no sin nor pain 
Disturbed peace's universal reign : 
Ye caste and outcaste, now unite, 
Be filled with love and do the right; 



102 



HEBREW. 

"Ye chosen race, whe'er ye dwell. 
Great Moses honor," chimed a bell ; 
"And love the Lord with all the soul ; 
Yea, let no other power control ; 
And as thyself thy neighbor love 
Is God's own wisdom from above : 
"With Jacob's God forever dwell !" 
Rang out the ancient Hebrew be'l. 

Hold not false Brahmish gods in fear, 
But Buddha's gospel now revere ; 
Escape from life, earth, heaven and hell!" 
Rang out the Protestant Buddhist bell. 

CONFUCIAN. 
"Mark ancient laws and customs well ! 
Our rulers fear!" pealed out a bell; 
"Thy parents honor while they live. 
And when they die thy worship give ; 
Why ponder things that gender strife? — 
An unknown God, an unknown life? 
Ours is the heavenly kingdom here, 
Confucius our mighty seer; 
Perform thy worldly duties well !" 
Pealed out the old Confucian bell. 

MOHAMMEDAN. 

"Our God is God ! go sound the knell 

Of heretics!" loud rolled a bell; 

"Mohammed is the prophet given 

To lead the Moslem hosts to heaven ; 

Unfurl his banner, draw the sword 

Our Koran true must be adored ; 

Ye faithful tribes, let this suffice — 

Bliss in our prophet's paradise ! 

Fire endless for the Infidel !'' 

Rolled forth the loud Mohammedan bell. 



103 



1.W (f. -Jyi- 




MOSES. THE MAN OF GOD. 
CONTENTS. 

Invocation for inspiration, 
Moses' birth under Ramases, 
Adoption by Princess Bent Anta, 
Sla_vs a Cruel Task Master, 
Flees to Midian for 40 years, 
Returns to Egypt, 
The Exodus, crossing Red Sea, 
Song of Freedom, 
Mixed muhitude, Mount Sinai, 
Golden calf, Moses' laws, 
Sacrifices, God's anger, 
God's Demands, His Justice, 
Smiting 'the Rock, the spies, 
Moses on Mt. Nebo, 
Moses' Prayer of Thanksgiving, 
Conclusion. 



105 



MOSES, THE MAN OF GOD. 

The Life- Story of Moses From the Cradle to the 

Grave. 

The Life-Story of Moses from the Cradle to the Grave. 

Written in His Eighty-first Year, by Alex. S. Arnold, 
Woonsocket, R. I. 

THE AUTHOR HAS AIMED TO USE PLAIN, SIMPLE LAN- 
GUAGE, EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY COMMON PEOPLE. 

Come, heavenly powers, with all inspiring grace, 
And fill my soul with this great theme, O, Lord 
Of love and light, who guided his great soul — 
The greatest hero of the olden time ; 
So great The Galilean honored him ; 
As noblest, truest, greatest man of earth ! 
"Think not," he cried, "that I am to destroy 
The law and prophets; for no jot or title 
Shall pass from Moses' law till all fulfilled 
And sway men's hearts in righteousness and peace ; 
Thus heaven bring to earth and rule all souls. 
But they who break and teach 'gainst Moses' laws 
Are least of all in heaven's kingdom pure, 
While those who teach them great in heav'n are 

called. 
So as we would that others do to us. 
So should we do to all our fellowmen. 
For this the law and prophets ever teach ! 
This the strait gate is, and narrow way :— 
Love thou the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart ; 
Love thou thy neighbor even as thyself !" 



10(1 



THE BIRTH OF MOSES. 

In Egypt, ruled by Rameses the Great, 
Was born Great Moses, who was three months hid 
To shield him from the law which sought his life ; 
For stern decree had from the king gone forth 
That every Hebrew boy be put to death 
Because the children of the Hebrew race 
Increased in numbers at such rapid rate 
They seemed a threat to overrun the land, 
And should the opportunity occur. 
Through warring shepherd king or foreign foe, 
The Israelites might join in numbers vast 
And thus o'erthrow the present ruling house ; 
For what could stem such combination strong? 
And therefore king's decree went forth that all 
The Hebrew children males be put to death. 
Now, common people were, throughout the realm. 
All merely serfs belonging to the crown. 
And should a war of vital import rise. 
To test the people's love of realm or king. 
What int'rest had the people in the strife 
When only change of masters was involved? 
And thus the risk of war would be enhanced 
And Israel must be crushed by harsh decree. 

THE ADOPTION OF MOSES. 

When Moses had from harm been three months 
hid 
His parents, Amram and wife Jockebed, 
Perceived no longer could they shield their child, 
They from some rushes made a little ark 
And in it set their baby boy adrift 
Upon the waters of a trenchlike cove 
Supplied by water of the sacred Nile 
Where went to bathe the daughter of the king, 
Bent Anta Princess, with attendant maids 
Who, at her bidding, took the floating waif 
And fetched it to their mistress to inspect, 
The lovely baby wept and touched her heart 
And she adopted him as prince and son. 

But he must have a nurse, and Miriam, 
His elder sister, watching near the place. 



107 



A little miss of but a dozen years, 

Made offer then to find a Hebrew nurse, 

And brought the babe's own mother for the charge. 

And thus advantaged by the princess' wealth 

Did Moses Egypt's wisdom vast attain 

With all the prestige of a royal prince. 

HIS mother's instruction. 

But at his pious Levite mother's knee 
Was Moses duly taught to honor God, 
The God of Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, 
And duly promised, with a solemn vow. 
To visit his race brothers sore oppressed 
And stand for them e'en though he stood alone, 
Foregoing hopes of mounting Egypt's throne. 

Yet when a royal prince in manhood's prime 
He wed the pontiff's daughter, Priest of On, 
Of Egypt's priestly class the supreme head. 
But when the time was ripe to keep his vow 
He went to Goshen's verdant pasture land 
And there beheld taskmasters of the king 
With cruel lashing drive the slaves at work. 
And these poor slaves the children of his race. 
His princely blood boiled over and he slew 
A wretch whose blows seemed harsher than the rest 
And buried he the body in the sand. 

MOSES flees to MIDIAN. 

Betrayed by those who should have been his friend; 
He fled to Midian beyond the sea. 
And there he dwelt with Jethro, prince and priest, 
And wed Zippora, Jethro's daughter fair, 
And spying out the land for forty years 
And profiting by Jethro's counsels wise 
While feeding herds and flocks near tloreb's ^Mount 

'Twas there he met the angel of the Lord 
Who, in God's stead wnthin the burning bush, 
Spoke as ambassador of great Jehovah, 
The God of Abraham, of Isaac, Jacob, 
Commanding Moses that he turn his steps 
Back into Eg.vpt and his mission there. 

Now Rameses was dead and his weak son. 
Metempha, reigned o'er Egypt's favored realm ; 



108 



For Rameses' loved queen had died and left 

Two lovely daughters, princesses of the realm. 

Bent Anta chose babe Moses for her son, 

The other Rameses had made his wife 

In memory of his beloved queen. 

And weak Metempha was the son and heir, 

But shadow merely of his father king. 

MGSES' RETURN TO EGYPT. 

And thus commanded at the burning bush, 
Obeying he returned to Egypt's land 
And stood with Aaron, facing there the king 
With his credentials from the King of Heaven. 
Thus armed with heav'nly power and conscious might 
Demanded the release of Hebrew serfs 
To go and worship three days' journey east. 
But Pharaoh refused and bade the slaves 
Bend to their work with harder tasks by far, 
With same amount of bricks, yet finding straw. 

Again with Aaron Moses faced the king, 
Again demanding that the Hebrew serfs 
Be free to go away and worship God ; 
But hardened was the heart of Pharaoh, 
And so again refused the firm demand 
Until came plagues and pestilence and lice 
Murrain and frogs and flies, then came blood 
And death through Egypt of the oldest son. 

Departure from Egypt. 

Then high and low in dire alarm cried out, 
"Command the Hebrews leave! Yea, drive them 

forth. 
Or we be all no better than dead men ! 
Then drive them out to worship their own God 
That He withdraw His wrath from off the land 
And suffer us to live in peace again !" 

And then the Hebrew serfs with one accord 
All borrowed of the Egyptians gold and silver : 
Yea, gold and jewels the Egyptians gave 
To shield them from the curse of Israel's God. 
Yet just were Hebrew serfs in this great spoil: 
For had they not in bondage suffered long? 
For years their backs were bended without pay! 



109 



The spoil was but a tithe of their just dues 
For years of unrequitted service hard 
And cruel brandings by their overseers 
And all the hardships of degraded serfs. 

And then the great mixed multitude went up 
All harnessed, out of Egypt with their herds 
And journeyed to the eastern guarding wall 
Against the Bedweens and Philistines bold, 
A wall against invasion from the east. 
Thus making inroads perilous and hard. 

Crossing the Red Sea, 

But soon Metempha, filled with keen regret 
That he had suffered Hebrew serfs to leave, 
In hottest haste then gathered horse and foot 
And chased in swift pursuit the fleeing throng 
Adown the eastern border guarding wall, 
And blocked the passage round the northern shore 
Between the Bitter Lakes' safe passageway, 
Near where the sea had eaten up the land. 

Great Moses would not lead his motley throng 
Through the old gateway near the great north sea; 
For then they had become the easy prey 
Of disciplined Philistines, fierce and bold; 
And so the Hebrews fled along the wall 
To reach the egress where Metempha camped 
Already to attack the fleeing serfs 
And drive them back to serve the king again. 

But here Jehovah bared His mighty arm ; 
For Moses heard the still, small voice within : 
"Stand and see the salvation of thy God! 
Stretch forth thy rod across the seething waves 
And I will bid the eastern wind blow strong, 
And when thou dost behold the causeway bare 
On which the caravans do cross secure, 
Go forward thou with all thy multitude, 
And I, the Lord of Hosts, will be with thee !" 

And when the east wind laid the causeway bare, 
And waters deep proved like a wall each side. 
To guard the Israelites from flank attack. 
The vast mixed aimltitude v^-ent o'er on foot 
By flaming pillar led full half the night. 



no 



And still were marching on at morning dawn 
Until they reached secure the other side. 

Then Pharaoh's proud army followed on 
Too late to take advantage of the wind 
Which, shifting westward, whistled herce and fast. 
And horse and rider, as in ambush caught, 
Sank to rise no more 'mid whelming waves 
Returning in great billows rushing on 
Within the view of Moses and his host. 
And then, 'mid timbrel's roll and cymbal's clash, 
And led by Miriam and maidens fair. 
They chanted high their jubilee of joy: 
"Our own God's mighty arm His people saves 
W hile Egypt shall mourn the loss of her slaves , 
The horse and the rider are 'neath the dark waves, 
Within the Red Sea have found their deep graves ; 
Sound the loud timbrel, the cymbal and voice; 
God's chosen people forever rejoice! 
Then let us to-day our high strain prolong, 
^nd with heart and voice sing Freedom's sweet 
song ! — 



Song of Freedom. 
Tune : "Blue Bells of Scotland." 
O, where, tell me where, 

Was the child of Freedom born? 
O, where, tell me where, 

Was the child of Freedom born? 
When God rolled back the tide and made 

A pathway through the sea. 
And when great Aloses led 

And God's Israel was free ! 

O, where, tell me where. 

Was sweet Freedom's cradle rocked? 
O, where, tell me where. 

Was sweet Freedom's cradle rocked? 
Amid Mount Sinai's sacred crags 

Whose summit pierced the sky, 
And Jehovah proclaimed 

That sweet Freedom should not die. 



Ill 



O, where, tell me where, 

Did this child to manhood come? 
O, where, tell me where, 

Did this child to manhood come? 
While wandering full forty years 

And led by cloud and flame, 
And the proud hosts of sin 

Shall e'er tremble at his name ! 

Thus Liberty was born when through the sea 
Great Moses led the people of his charge. 
And Freedom's cradle rocked at Sinai's Mount, 
And Freedom his majority attained 
While wand'ring forty years the wilderness 
Before the children reached the Promised Land, 



The Mixed Multitude. 
But some, so ill-formed about the race 
Of Hebrews and their friends 'neath Egypt's sway. 
They doubt the number of the multitude 
That left their bondage under Moses' lead. 
And started on their journey, long and strange. 
They vainly take for granted this great host 
Were all descended from great Jacob's sons, 
Unthinking that the patriarch's vast wealth 
Required at least a thousand vassals more 
For keepers of his herds and flocks and mules 
And camels, and defenders of his wealth. 
Thus when the great, mixed multitude went up 
All harnessed out of Egypt's bondage sore 
They surely numbered full two million souls 
Of kindred races and of those who joined 
When prospering in Goshen's fertile fields, 
Then under their firm friends the shepherd kings 
Who were expelled by stronger foreign arms 
Whose leader knew not Joseph and his race. 
As Joseph made crown-serfs of native poor 
And starving millions when the famine raged 
While Nile floods flowed not for full seven years, 
So Rameses the Flebrew tribes enslaved. 

Mount Sinai and the Golden Calf. 
To Sinai's rugged mountain bleak and bare 



112 



Great Moses led the people to be taught 
God's holy statutes that they stray not far, 
But with due godly fear obey the Lord 
And walk in paths of pleasantness and peace 
Instead of ways which lead to life's morass 
Where hapless men are mired in sin and woe. 

'Twas there, 'mid lightnings fierce and thunders 
loud, 
Upon the lonely mount Great Moses strayed 
Full forty days amid the solitude 
In awe and trembling at the thrilling scenes 
With Joshua his trusted friend and aid. 
He left the people at the mountain's base, 
They caring for their wealth in flocks and herds 
All feeding in green pastures spreading wide. 

'Tis charged against the Jews they had no art, 
That statuary they despised and scorned 
Which so refined and elevated Greeks. 

'Tis false as ever Satan uttered lies ; 
For of all famous statues ever formed 
Was fashioned by Priest Aaron, at the Mount, 
A golden calf he wrought and set in view 
That all the people might exalt and praise 
And worship even as in Egypt's land. 
Then High Priest Aaron cried in lusty tones, 
"These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought 
Thee up and out of Egypt's cruel land !" 
At which the people hailed it long and loud. 
Then all the multitude sat down to eat 
And after feasting rose they up to play. 

Then later came those statues, highly prized, 
The golden calves which Jeroboam formed ; 
Then there was old, unclean Beelzebub 
And brazen Moloch, in whose ancient shrine 
Were roasted heathen babes in sacrifice. 
And in which sacred rites apostate Jews 
Engaged, and worshiped Ashtaroth and Baal, 
In temples each a house of ill repute ; 
Engaged in lewd debauch both day and night, 

'Tis true such heathen rites and works of art 
Were all forbidden by great Moses' laws ; 
Yet flourished they like unto green bay trees "" 



113 



Wherever people turned from Moses' God, 
Where heathen art and statuary swayed. 

Moses' Laws. 

Read ye the mighty leader's rules of life, 
His pure commandments for our daily guide, 
And all his moral code to govern men 
And curb the sins which he could not prevent. 
Consider ye that all enacted laws 
Of all enlightened nations of the world 
Are founded on the statutes Moses gave, 
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God for aye 
His ten commandments and his higher code: — 

"Hear, O Israel, the Lord God is one; 
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God for aye 
With all thy heart, with all thy mind and 

strength ; 
And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." 
And on these words hang all the law and prophets. 

Moses' Sacrificial Code — God's Anger. 

Moreover, Moses' law of sacrifice 
Were lessons of great import for us all — 
To learn to sacrifice the best of all 
For God, religion and unselfish aims 
'Mong men and women that they covet not, 
But tread the paths of purity and love. 

'Tis true that many failed to comprehend 
The true intent of these blest altar gifts. 
Some thinking God did ask them in His need 
Instead of all designed for man's own good 
Just as the Sabbath and the decalogue ; 
Yea, all God's laws are benefits for man, 
That he may grow in likeness of his God 
And, like his God, for evil render good ; 
By overcoming evil with the good. 
Our God is angiy with His wicked sons 
Because He loves His children, one and all, 
Just as good earthly parents angry are 
That ofifspring, whom they love so deciih- true, 
Act wickedlv in spite of all commands 
And yet the fact that some from Gofl arc lost 
Is proof that God owns all who go astray : 



114, 



Yea, just as when man loses child or purse, 
And proves the lost or stolen was from him, 
A court of justice gives him back his own. 
Thus all the lost from God belong to him; 
For Satan has no children of his own, 
But only kidnapped, stolen from the Lord. 
Almighty God will not give up his own 
But duly claim and bring them back again ; 
For Christ shall seek the lost till all are found 
And brought with joy into the Father's fold. 

God's Just Demands and Needs. 
Our God doth own the universe itself 
And only lacks in one essential thing- — 
The love of all the children he hath made; 
For just as parents crave their children's love 
And to that end bring offspring into life, 
So great Jehovah creates hosts of men 
That they may satisfy his mighty need 
By loving him with all the heart and strength, 
As we need God's great love forvermore, 
So great Jehovah needs the love of men, 
And in his greatness needs He billions more 1 
But briefly, therefore, lets his children stray 
And then to learn afflictions lesson well : 
Forever God's pure justice shall pursue 
The fleeing sinner with relentless love. 

Demands of Our Father's Justice. 

No punishment can satisfy the Lord ! 
One thing and only one is, requisite, 
That we love God with all our heart and strength 
And love our neighbor even as ourself : 
No less can satisfy His just demands; 
Yea, justice is not met till man complies! 

However far the sinner strays from God 
No refuge can he find from God's pursuit ; 
To his last covert, through the ENDLESS NOW. 
The call shall break upon the sinner's ear, 
"My son, give Me thy heart! 'Tis justly Mine!'' 

And when the sinner truly just becomes 
God's justice is then met, and not till then ! 
When all throughout the world of every race 



115 



Shall love supremely God and others as themselves 
Shall man be just with God and justice fully met! 

The mildest man whom history records 

The people for pure w^ater thirsted sore, 

Of trial with the stolid people's whims 

Whene'er events went counter to their likes. 

Restrained himself for eight and thirty years 

Smiting the Rock. 
And then, as was their wont, with loud complaint 
They asked in waggish, mocking, scathing tones 
if there were dearth of graves in Egypt's land 
That they were led within the desert wide 
To find in broader fields sufficient tombs? 

'Twas then that Moses' meekness, so long tried, 
Gave place to anger and with lifted rod 
He shouted fiercely, "Rebels obdurate ! 
For you must I bring water from this rock?"' 
And then in anger smote the massive stone 
When, from beneath, the long imprisoned flood 
Burst forth in blessings like the love of God. 

When Moses Smote the Rock. 

When Moses smote the desert rock, 

To quench the people's thirst. 
The pent-up waters by the shock, . " 

Were loosed and forth they burst. 

And tho' the burning desert sand 

Our aching feet may tread, 
Or on the rugged rocks we stand, 

And brazen skies o'erhead; 

Yet 'neath the rocky, jagged ground, 

Tho' parched the way we go, 
Imprisoned streamlets there abound 

Already to o'erflow. 

So 'neath the rocks of gloomy fears 

Abundant waters rest 
Which yet shall wash away our tears 

And mourning hearts be blest; 

The rocks be parted one by one, 

And sparkling waters seen 
Flow bright beneath the smiling sun 

Through deserts clothed in green. 



116 



O Lord, smite thou each desert rock! 

To quench all souls athirst 
And pent-up waters by the shock 

Be loosed and ever burst! 

Various Notable Events. 
But time and space to narrate all. would fail. 
And so we touch but lightly many scenes 
Momentous in the life of this great man: 
The strange fire offered by priest Aaron's sons 
When they in drunken revelry did use 
The sacred vessels and the holy altar • 
And brought upon themselves their awful fate; 
When Miriam and Aaron both rebelled; 
When in fierce battles Joshua, the chief, 
Led on to triumph o'er heathen hosts ; 
When twelve men sent spied out the promised 

land, 
When Joshua, the son of Non, was true. 
And Caleb, staunch Jephunneh's son stood firm, 
And brave were both, the only souls of all 
Who, leaving Egypt, reached the promised land 
And, ever faithful, triumphed throughout life. 
While for his sin in taking credit full 
Unto himself, instead of unto God, 
Yea, when he smote the rock and waters gushed, 
E'en Moses was debarred from Canaan. 
Then mounted he Mount Pisgah's highest peak 
And there amid the solitude alone, 
He viewed the promised land, and there he died. 



Moses on Mount Nebo. 

And now, his work accomplished, Moses stood 
In all his manhood's force, with undimmed eyes ; 
He gazed from Nebo's lofty height away 
Far o'er the landscape of the Promised Land, 
Beholding Urusalem tow'ring high 
On Mount Moriah's fortress proud and grim 
Where Jebusites defied the arm of man 
From their Gibraltar of the olden time 
And vaunted her impregnable to all 
Until she fell before great Joab's host. 



117 



Great Moses traced the Jordan's winding- stream, 
And Galilee through which its waters flowed, 
The cedars of Mount Lebanon and Moab, 
And westward saw the great and mighty sea 
Whose restless ripples flowed beyond his sight, 
And on her borders proud Philistia 
With five walled cities frowning on the coast, 
And Tyre and Sidon on the shore beyond, 
And at his left proud Egypt's guarding wall 
Which he had circled with his fleeing tribes. 

Before him lay the lovely Promised Land, 
And tho' denied an entrance to the realm 
His soul exulted in his fulfilled task: 
For as he then recalled the troubled past 
His heart was lifted o'er his blasted hope 
That at the very threshold of the land 
His step must cease and he forego the prize. 
The temple he had won through Jacob's God; 
And lifting up his head he gazed in joy 
And stretching forth his hands exulting mused: — 

"O, God of Father Abraham, my Lord, 
Thou God of Jacob, refuge and defence. 
Before the mountains were brought forth by Thee 
Or ever this broad earth and sea were formed 
From everlasting e'en to everlasting 
Thou art our Father and unfailing Friend! 
And forty years agone Thy angel came 
And bade me do a work I could not do ; 
But Thou hast been with me through all the way 
And brought me to this sad, yet heavenly end ; 
And as the mother counts her pains as naught 
To think a man is born into the world, 
Behold the birth of Israel to-day 
As out of the womb of southern desert sands 
The nation in her glory passes o'er 
The Jordan to her own inheritance 
And leaves behind her weakness and her fears? 
Behold the Ark first crosses o'er the stream 
All dammed at Meron forty miles above. 
Behold the people also pass dry shod. 
For water flows not through the river bed. 
Mark Joshua's proud legions marching on, 
And who shall dare disi)ute their coiKju'riiig mighi 



118 



Led on by matchless chieftain of the world? 
Let heathen tremble in their city walls 
And all the hosts of sin and idols base 
Before our leader flee, nor turn again ; 
For oiit of Egypt hast Thou called Thy son, 
And Thine own people victors now shall be ! 

And thus the hardships of our toilsome march 
Are turned to joy and gladness this great day. 
Yea, all the discords of our desert life 
Are turned to song and harmony divine ; 
And tho' I pause upon this lonely hill 
With naught to mark the lowly grave I fill 
My name shall live The Great Deliverer, 
Who from base serfdom made a nation great; 
Nor shall be dimmed this tale when ages pass 
And beat upon the shores of boundless time ! 
So shall the pathos of this closing scene 
B ' swallowed up in hallelujahs high ; 
As this tale echos down each coming age 
Shall endless notes of praise unceasing rise." 



Conclusion. 

And here we end the story of this man 
Who tow'rs in grandeur o'er the wrecks of earth; 
Yea, all the clouds which clustered 'round his head, 
With dark forebodings 'mid his giant toils, 
Have set behind the western hills of life. 
And naught save sunshine gilds the eastern sky 
And glows in glory 'round his sacred head. 

Down from the steps which lead to Egypt's 
throne 
Great Moses turned and trod life's paths alone; 
His mother taught that slaves were his race 

brothers, 
That serving God was doing good to others. 

He poured contempt on titles and ambition, 
And turned from fame to bring the abolition 
Of slaves despised ; relinquished rank and name 
Yet high o'er men of old shines forth his fame. 

He did not seek for heaven far away. 
But dwelt in God's own presence day by day! 



119 



He walked and talked with God, his joy forever, 
And having God naught lacked on earth whatever. 

Thou man of God, greatest of olden time, 
Thou meekest, most unselfish of all climes, 
Forsaking all, ambition, self and fame. 
Achieve didst thou the greatest of all names! 
Thy pure, unselfish fame shall darken never, 
But evermore inspire man's high endeavor, 
And like the sun and stars shine on forever ! 



Notes on Moses, the Man of God. 

The correction of Manetho's historical data brushes 
aside the haze which for centuries darkened Egyptian 
chronology regarding the children of Israel, showing 
that Biblical dates and statements are practically cor- 
rect. The spades of the antiquary and ancient monu- 
ments are confirming, in remarkable ways, the truth 
of the Bible narratives. 

On monuments have been found pictures of the 
slaves of Pharaoh, their backs branded with hot irons, 
toiling under the lash of merciless taskmasters, beside 
whcm Markham's "Man with the Hoe" was an envi- 
able condition. 

The name of Rameses the Great was Moses, to 
which was prefixed Ra, the name of Egypt's great 
god, to show Pharaoh's boasted divine credentials, 
changing his name to Rameses the Pharaoh of the 
oppression and the greatest monarch that ever ruled 
the land of the Nile. His son Metempha was the 
Pharaoh of the exodus. 

Melchizedek was viceroy of Salem or Urusalem in 
the days of Abraham. Although a scrub, that is 
without father or mother of royal blood, he had at- 
tained his position by his own ability with the title of 
king under the powerful monarchs of Egvpt. Two 
of his letters to Pharaoh have been unearthed. 

With the mummy of Rameses was found that of 
Metempha and his brother Hamus or Rahammus, the 
great magician and rival of Moses. 



120 



GOD'S BELL, 

By Alex. S. Arnold, Woonsocket, R. I. 
"A Still Small Voice." — i Kings, xviii, 12, 

God's own Immortal Bell, forever ringing 

Is filling e'er the universe around 
With music like the heavenly angels singing; 

How soft, how clear, how dulcet is the sound ! 
Within the palace, cot, or dungeon cell, 
Floats the enchanting music of this bell. 

And yet what hosts scarce hear its sweet vibrations, 
For all untuned the answering cord within. 

And blinded millions, dwelling 'mong all nations. 
Shut out the music by the crust of sin ;^ 

Yet still God's Bell sounds on o'er hill and vale, 

Though few the list'ners to its thrice told tale. 

But in its stead they hear a wild bell tolling, 

As though, impelled by fiends, it swayed in anger, 

And like the rattling, scaring thunder rolling. 
It falls upon the ear with jarring clangor: 

With fear and dread they listen to its ringing. 

While God's sweet Bell appears all silent swinging. 

How many human hearts, their last hope failing, 
(Trusting in earthly strength and not in- God) 

Hear the discordant bells in hopeless wailing, 
All helpless sink beneath God's chastening rod, 

Unknowing while God's punishments shall wound them, 

His greater loving-kindness still surrounds them. 



121 



THE BRAZEN BELL. 
By Ai^exander S. Arnold, Woonsocket, R. I. 

Out from the belfry, swell on swell, 
Comes the grand music of the brazen bell, 

Chiming and climbing, 

Climbing and chiming 
Over and over the hurrying crowds, 
Up and away to the very clouds. 
As though it would pierce the vaulted skies 
To gain an immortal prize, 
Out from the belfry, swell on swell, 
Comes the grand music of the brazen bell. 

Again like song-birds, warbling, singing. 
With its merry ringing ; 

Or as happy childhood 

Waking the wildhood, 

Light, glad, frolicsome, 

And rolicsome ; 
Then suddenly up roarious. 
So grand and glorious 
And melodious, 

Like a grand chorus 

Floating o'er us. 
Out from the belfry, swell on swell. 
Comes the grand music of the brazen bell. 

Hear it ! like an archangel 
Or mighty evangel 

Calling ! calling ! 
Swift ascending 
With heaven's anthems blending; 

Then falling! falling! 

Trolling and rolling ! 

Rolling and trolling, 

And tolling! tolling! 
Again resounding, 
Its clang abounding. 
Its noise astounding 



Ui 



Near and far, 
The Law expounding, 
Its tongue rebounding 
As though all sin confounding. 

Like heaving billows of mighty war 
"Delay not, mortals ! begin 
The conflict with foes within !" 
Out from the belfry, swell on swell, 
Comes the grand music of the brazen bell. 

Out from the spire, 
Yet higher and higher, 
With confusion dire, 

The sounds are flung 

As the bell is swung. 

And its noisy tongue 

Is all unstrung; 

And tunes seem unchanted and unsung 
Then the music will swell 
Like some sweet spell, 
The discord quell ! expel ! 
From its high citadel 
Hear its rich cadence dwell ! 
Its heavenly message tell ! 
"All is well ! is well ! well !" 
Out from the belfry, swell on swell. 
Comes the grand music of the brazen bell. . 

How pleading the call 
Entreating all : 

"Oh, come ! do come ! 

Wake, Christendom ! 
With goodness we must enter in 
The rest we all must win, 
Christ bearing away our sin." 

Hear its loud vibrations ! 

"Wake from your degradations, 

Ye slumbering nations ! 

Oh, join in mighty adorations !" 
Out from the belfry, swell on swell, 
Comes the grand music of the brazen bell 



123 



-TIS THE LIFE THAT TELLS ! 

By Ai.e;xander S. ArnoIvD, Woonsocket, R. L 

(Copyright, 1910, By A, S. Arnold.) 

Tis the hfe that tells, not the words you say! 
Your words are shaded by your daily deeds 
Which publish your faith abroad day by day, 

Yea, herald faith in spite of written creeds : 
Tho hypocrites may righteous phrases quote. 
Their neighbors will their daily actions note ; 
For 'tis the life that tells! 

"Tis the life that tells ! Sweet as chiming bells. 
All through this motley world of light and shade. 

Are loving people who their parts act well 

And live their kindly lives 'mong friends they've made. 

And let their lights so shine that others see 

Their good works and give glory, Lord, to thee ! 
For 'tis the life that tells! 

'Tis the life that tells ! Well do I recall. 

When our dear church was formed some years ago, 
One of another parish then left all 

And came to us with Christian faith aglow 
And said, "For many years I've loved your creed. 
Not from mere words, but from a friend's good deeds ! 
For 'tis the life that tells! 

"Yes, 'tis the life that tells!" she kindly said, 

"Not from mere preaching, nor from specious talk; 

But years ago I had a friend, now dead. 

Whose kind words wedded to her kindly walk 

So pure, sweet and good! 'Twas her life that told; 

Because of her rich life I join your fold; 
For 'tis the life that tells!" 

'Tis the life that tells! Mark the lives so bright 
Of godly members ways whose Christian glory 

Is like the sun gone down which leaves soft light 
To guide our wand'ring feet. We tell the story, 

How through their heavenlv lives the parish grew 

And like the n(^onday sun that all may view ; 
For 'tis the life that tells! 



U4, 



'Tis the life that tells! How can we forget 

Our godly members' lives who wrought so well? 

God's seal upon their lovely lives was set 
For they for others lived till death befell: 

O, emulate in deeds those godly few 

Until for heaven we bid this world adieu, 
For 'tis the life that tells ! 

'Tis the life that tells! I could name a score 

Of other blest examples of sister folds 
And in my own dear parish many more 

Whose loving ways and loving deeds have told ! 
Their righteous lives have many converts made 
While words alone proved merely dress parade ; 
For 'tis the life that tells ! 

'Tis the life that tells ! coupled with strong faith ; 

Not mere belief, but faith which casts out fear ; 
Believing demons tremble, scripture saith, 

While faith moves mountains in each man's career : 
May faith in God our Father fill each breast, 
Strong faith be in our righteous lives confessed; 
For 'tis the life that tells ! 

'Tis the life that tells! Christ in Palestine 

Spake his pure precepts for the people's weal ; 

And on his words of wisdom, line on line. 

Was stamped, through his good deeds, the heavenly seal 

His heavenly doctrines cannot come to naught ; 

Because he lived the precepts which he taught; 
For 'tis the life that tells ! 

'Tis the life that tells! Sweet as chiming bells 
Are God's commandments and his laws obeyed: 

Our Heavenly Father doeth all things well, 
Jehovah's loving-kindness never fades ! 

Not for his greatness does he claim our love; 

But for his precious blessings from above; 

For while Almighty power we may discuss, 

We love the Lord because he first loved us ! 
For 'tis the life that tells ! 



125 



THE PROMISED RESURRECTION. 
By Alexander Streeter Arnold. 
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth ; but the 
word of our God shall stand forever." — Isa. 40:8. 

"I am the Resurrection and the life!" saith the 
Lord. 

He stood beside the bier, and softly said, 
"Thy friend has gone before; he is not dead; 
For Nature teaches us this lesson sweet : — 
Withui another world we soon shall meet !" 

The stricken mourner said, "Thy words are vain! 

My friend is dead and ne'er shall live again!" 
"Dead? Look, mourner, gaze on the lifeless grass, 
O'er which the freezing blasts of winter pass ; 
Yet summer soon shall living beauty give ; 
The fields shall bloom, the grass revive and live!" 

The weeping mourner said, "Thy words are vain ! 

The grass that died shall never live again!" 
"Behold, sad mourner, how the brown leaves fall, 
And clothe the lifeless ground with fun'ral pall; 
But spring shall come, the earth with life shall glow 
And verdant leaves shall wave where'er we go !'' 

The sorrow laden said, "Thy words are vain ! 

The leaves now dead shall never live again !" 
"But look, sad mourner, look once more away 
And see that giant oak clasped by decay. 
Behold its sprouts, how each exultant stands, 
And soon their joyous leaves shall clap their hands!" 

The weeping mourner said, "Thy words are vain! 

The oak, which died, shall never live again !" 
"Then list, sad mourner," — 'twas a heavenly voice 
Which made the heart bereft, with hope rejoice — 
"Thy friend is sleeping free from care and sorrow ; 
But, through his risen Lord, shall wake tomorrow : 
For God's own Book divine si")eaks not in vain ! 
Because Christ rose thy friend shall rise again : 
"The grass shall wither and its bloom decay ; 
The oak shall fall, the earth may pass away ; 
Yet stands God's word, and Christ immortal lives. 
And to thy friend a sweeter life shall give!" 

The weeping mourner smiled, disjiellcd lu's fears, 

Atid soon in faith and love were dried his. tears! 



ENTERING HEAVEN. 

Rhymes for a Sunday School Concert, 

By Alex S. Arnold. 

Was it a vision ? or was it a dream 

Of effulgent beauty, soft and serene? 

As I gazed entranced at each floating gleam 

And fair as angels' eyes had ever seen. 

A shining, golden portal rose to view, 

Where one by one, the saints, — yes, all passed through ; 

And these words shone o'er the archway bright ; 

"This is the gate to the city of light." 

I will not state our great Redeemer's plan, 

How from his sins Christ saves poor sinful man ; 

Nor here attempt to give the lapse of time 

To bring the changes wrought in this brief rhyme ; 

The strange result shall be my only theme 

Of what I saw in vision or in dream. 

First came a feeble one bowed with disease ; 
But he passed 'neath the shining arch with ease, 
And found what he needed far more than wealth, 
For his pale face changed to the glow of health. 

Then came a ruler of high renown ; 
He passed on foot to the heavenly ground ; 
No courtiers, nor subjects his highness greet; 
But he humbly knelt at our Saviour's feet. 

Next one of the lowly sons of earth. 

Inured to poverty from his birth ; 

He passed within his realm above. 

And was there made rich in our Saviour's love. 



127 



Then one self-righteous, with darkning frown 

For poor, lost souls, as he looked around, 

Thinking to gaze from out of heaven 

On heretics to tortures given ; 

And as he saw their sad condition, 

More joyful would be his position. 

But as he entered the lovely city, 

His proud heart melted to one of pity, 

And, taking a place with the lowest host. 

Cried "Lord, have mercy; for I need it most!" 

Next came one of the dainty upper crust. 
Forgetting all are made of earthly dust. 
With soul so very small I scarce could vidw it; 
But looking at the icy heart and through it, 
I plainly saw, with loathing and disgust 
'Twas cankered and corrupt with moth and rust ; 
But, as he entered, fell the earthly cheat. 
And humbly there he took the lowest seat. 

Next came a man, counting still his beads. 
Earnest as though it were all one needs; 
His rosary vanished ; but the loss 
He heeded not as he clung to the cross. 

Another traveler soon came after, 
Unimmersed in earthly water ; 
He entered, and then without delay. 
In eager haste first made his way 
To life's clear river, deep and wide, 
And bathed, with joy, in its blissful tide. 

In went another of close-communion ; 

Yes, arm in arm in blissful union 

With an undipped saint of another creed. 

And seemed thrice happy in the Christian deed ; 

And, as he passed, to him was given 

A blessed sprinkling of the dew of heaven. 

Then one in broad-brim, suit of grey, 
Staidly passed through the narrow way; 
But as he entered, grave and slow. 
His grey suit turned as white as snow; 



I'i.S 



Yea, all his earthly garb was gone, 
Or else assumed a robe-like form ; 
But, as I gazed, what pleased me best. 
He sung God's praise as sweet as the rest. 

Next came a slave of ebon hue; 
Behold the change as he passed through! 
From every sign of bondage free. 
No angel fairer there than he. 

Next came one with his much prized gift — 

All the ceremonies he could lift; 

He bent somewhat beneath his load, 

Yet bravely trudged along the road; 

But as he passed the portal fair, 

He changed enough to make one stare ; 

His great load vanished, and loud with zest. 

He shouted "Glory!" like a Methodist. 

One shouting in ecstacy I view 

But what a change as he passed through ! — 

In silent joy he sees our Lord. 

His rapt'rous heart too full for words. 

A sad one, tearful came, believing ever, 
Of loving, tender heart, yet peaceful never; 
Unknowing that God's wrath divine above 
Is far more tender than a mother's love ; 
He thought God's wrath was simply vengeful hate, 
And so with fear and trembling passed the gate ; 
One glance sufficed, — he saw our Saviour's'face 
And leaped rejoicing in a flood of grace. 

Sweet words of hope I heard, and looked again— 

A cheerful, trusting one, rejoicing came. 

"Our God is love," he said, " and His dear Son 

Destroys all sin ; the vict'ry shall be won ! 

All hail, great Saviour! speed that glorious morn 

When every soul of man shall be new-born !'' 

And, as he passed within the city fair. 

He saw that all, made pure through Christ, were there 



129 



And yet again a grander vision given, — 
A countless host o'er plains and hills of heaven. 
With harps of gold, and praises on each tongue 
In loud thanksgiving, for the' victory won. 

'Twas not a mere vain dream as there they stood, 
Redeemed from sin, a mighty multitude. 
It seemed as though the heaven would burst asunder. 
As rolled the anthems from that countless number. 
For God's great vict'ry over death and sin. 
Which none but God's immortal Son could win. 
And thus they proudly stood with harps in hand. 
And sung the song of Moses and the Lamb : — 

"God's final triumph loud we now proclaim. 
When not one soul shall dwell in sin and shame. 
Loud hallelujahs to our Saviour's name! 
Then come to Jesus, weary souls yet lost. 
Come, burdened hearts, and swell our mighty host 
Redeemed from sin shall gather all the world ; 
For there be one shepherd and one fold !" 



130 



CHRISTIAN FAITH. 
By Alex. S. Arnold. 

He who believeth on our Father God, 

Baptised in spirit by the Holy Ghost, 
Shall be saved here and through Jehovah's word, 

Of life's rich blessings he shall glean the most. 
For he shall walk on earth in God's own light, 

Faith in God shall joyfully possess. 
And loathing every evil, love the right. 

And dwell here filled with rest and righteousness. 
But if the loving gospel of God's Son 

Is spurned because hate fills his sordid soul. 
In every evil thought or deed that's done, 

There shall the foul, unrestful billows roll. 
The faith of Christ is not that he lived here.; 

For Christian faith is fraught with greater wealth, 
Faith in God and Christ casts out all fear 

And makes us love our neighbor as ourself. 
Then are we Chrisians, and tho chastened sore, 

We trust our Father God through good and ill. 
And gaze through darkest clouds and more and 
more 

We bless and do our Father's loving will. 
When friends depart and pass through death's cold 
gate, 

In faith we view them in those realms more fair; 
For God shall cleanse them from their sinful state, 

And in a world of bliss we'll meet them there. 
Then grant us thy salvation, blessed Lord, 

The loving faith in God may Christ impart. 
The Holy Spirit's aid to us afford, 

And cleanse and keep us ever pure in heart. 
Let us forsake these grov'ling sins of ours. 

Eschew all hate and ever live in love, 
Immortal glories then shall strew with flowers, 

Our paths of peace like heavenly paths above ! 



131 



CLARA'S DREAM OF HEAVEN AND HELL. 

By Alexander S. Arnold. 

Clara had been taught from early childhood, 
To trust in God and love his hallowed name; 

Though years rolled on, by worldly ones surrounded, 
Her childlike trust was always just the same. 

No doubt of God, no fear of death or dying. 

E'er crossed her trusting heart by night or day ; 

-But in the footsteps of a loving Saviour 

She walked in peace the blessed, narrow way. 

Her faith was taught her by a Christian father; 

Maternal love but briefly had she known ; 
A faint remembrance of her loving mother 

^A'^as all on earth she ever called her own. 

And yet, whenever asked. "Have 3^ou a mother?" 
"Yes ! but not below," was the answer given 

"She'.'i with my sister and my only brother ; 
But all are still my own, though up in heaven. 

"I never saw them much, but love them dearly, 

,And mention all their names oft when I pray ; 
I'm not unhappy when I think about them, 
For blessed Jesus took them all away. 

"And saved from sin they all are pure and happ>' — 
Saved by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, 

Who takes away our sins. And saved from sinning 
We, too, shall walk the streets by angels trod. 

"For when our earthly tab'nacle of cla}^ 

Shall be dissolved, and to the dust be given. 

We have a house, a building of our God. 

Not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 



133 



One night, as Clara laid in peaceful slumber, 
She dreamed she died and flew to heaven's gate, 

Vv'here stood a mighty angel at the portal, 

To guard sweet Paradise's most peaceful state. 

"Do you love God and Jesus?" asked the angel. 

Said Clara, "Yes, with all my heart and soul !" 
Then swung the gate and gazing through the portal, 

She saw the palaces and streets of gold. 

"Good angel, please, I wish to find my mother, 
And tell her of my own and father's love ; 

I long to meet my sister and my brother. 
And live with them and Jesus and with God." 

The angel's brow was clouded as he answered, 
"Your friends are in the valley at the left, 

Which lies far down below among the shadows. 
Where many dwell of pleasures e'er bereft. 

"So shout hosannas ! Chant loud hallelujahs! 

And join with those within forever blest ; 
Forget your friends, your mother, 'mid the shadows, 

Forget them all and share our heavenly rest." 

"Forget my mother!" Clara cried. "No, tempter! 

Not for all thy selfish joys untold*; 
Forget my only sister and my brother? 

No! Not for Paradise, though paved with gold!" 

The angel's brow grew darker, fiercely frowning, 
■ .And stern to Clara spake, "Have you no fear?" 
You cannot share our joy and honor mother ! 
So cease to love her and be happy here." 

"I'd rather not be happy !" answered Clara, 
"Than cease to love my mother in her woe ! 

If I'm forbid to love my friends in heaven, 
I'd rather dwell among the shades below. 

"And though we speak, sir, with the tongues of angels. 

Without the gift of charity or love. 
We are but sounding brass or tinkling cymbal ! 

But Jesus' heart with kindness ever moves. 



133 



"Of faith and hope and love, love is the greatest; 

For love fulfills the law, since God is love; 
Did not I love my mother, whom I have seen, 

I could not love our unseen God above. 

"Why, sir, selfish joy can ne'er be blissful ; 

But filled with love our bliss is always great; 
Repent, dear sir, be filled with holy pity. 

And find that rest in love unknown in hate." 

"What, this to me?" the angel fierce retorted; 

"Why, I'm the porter of bright paradise! 
Away, child ! Get you to darksome valley, 

Since you still love your mother! How unwise!'' 

"Farewell," said Clara. "You, I truly pity 
And all unloving souls who dwell within ; 

For angels, if unloving, can't be blissful 

Until our Saviour saves them from their sin. 

"But, thanks to God, that I can go to mother, 
Since Paradise with selfishness abounds ; 

And yet I thought it filled with loving spirits, 
Where selfish pleasures never could be found." 

Then down among the shadows of the valley 
Went Clara in her eager, loving haste, 

Where dim lights scarce illumed the palling darkness 
That shrouded all the darkling, dreary waste. 

But, braving all, she hasted to her mother. 
Who folded Clara closely to her breast; 

And there, in darkness, mother, sister, brother, 
Found in unselfish love, sweet, peaceful rest. 

But morning dawned and Clara woke from slumber. 

In glad surprise, she cried, "How true it seemed ! 
I thank thee. God of love, and bless thee. Saviour, 

My heart was true and loving in my dreams!" 



1.S4 



ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF GOOD 

SAMARITAN LODGE, I. O. OF F. No. 8. 

April 4, 1895. 

By Alex S. Arnold, Woonsocket, R. I. 
Descend, bright muse, and touch my soul with fire, 
And let this mighty theme my thoughts inspire, 
Or how shall I, this day, dare touch the lyre 

Of poetry on such a glorious theme? 
And state the doctrines pure on which we stand, 
Those sacred teachings which enrich our land, 
Those principles, as heavenly and grand 

As prophet's vision or a poet's dream? 

Our noble order states that every man 
Should do his duty here as best he can. 
And God shall place him in the very van 

Among his chosen men of every nation : 
For he, who loves our precepts from above, 
Three golden links of Friendship, Truth and Love, 
The beauties of Odd Fellowship shall prove. 

And solid rock shall be his sure foundation. 

Then learn these lessons of our friendly order. 

Where honor holds her blessed, gentle sway; 
For all, within her proud and sacred border. 

Shall yet her pure and high commands obey : 
Aye, join our grand Odd Fellowship of brothers, 

And swell the glorious song of peace and love, 
And leave all hate and strife and war to others; 

For we in peace and harmony should move. 



13.5 



High honor to her sacred courts invites us ; 

Oh, enter ye, and worthy subjects prove; 
Unbroken be the chain which here unites us ; 

'Tis hnked with heav'nly friendship, truth and love 
Within our hearts, forever shrined and cherished, 

Oh, may these blessed feelings ever bloom. 
Ne'er failing when our earthly life has perished, 

But live immortal e'en beyond the tomb. 

Such are the doctrines of our friendly order ; 

Of these rich gems no foe shall e'er defraud her; 

For God's right arm shall be her mighty warder; 

Odd Fellowship exalts in every station : 
And every son, who from his heart obeys her, 

v words and kindly deeds shall ever praise her. 
By his true life in heaven's sight shall raise her, 

While saints and angels join in admiration. 

Mark well the battlements which e'er defend her; 
No gates of hell shall e'er prevail and rend her; 
For guardian spirits shall fore'er befriend her; 

No failure Good Samaritan Lodge shall mock: 
This day full fifty years have o'er her passed, 
Undaunted has withstood Time's testing blast, 
And fifty more times fifty years shall last, 

Yet stand immovable as solid rock. 

We don't deny that in Odd Fellow's Lodges 
Are a few counterfeits who really rank 

With hypocrites and other artful dodgers ; 
For counterfeits are on the best of banks. 

But, let all counterfeits their harvests mow, 
Be kind, be social,- benevolent and mellow ; 

Aye, ne'er forget where'er you are or go 
To act in love the genuine Odd Fellow. 

But as I glance into the friendly faces 

Of those within our Order's kind embraces, 

I'm sure you'll grant your willing, pard'ning graces. 

As I in lighter vein now pitch my rhyme : 
Because we never hint, in word or manner. 
That when we gather 'neath our royal banner, 
There's aught the matter with beloved Hannah, 

Especially on such a festal time. 

136 



So of a nervous man I'll tell the story, 
Who for the time was, not quite hunky-dory, 
But, through his dreamy fears, so changed the glory 
Of our pure rites (so heav'nly and up-liftingj 
He thought, to swift destruction, he was dritting. 

This nervous man, with dark forebodings freighted. 

Came tremblingly to be initiated ; 

Our team, that night, was very much belated ; 

The man fell fast asleep, and queerly dreamed : 
For fearful visions heavy sleep did cumber, 
And as he snored away in troubled slumber. 
The horrid things he saw and scenes of wonder, 

I'll now relate precisely as they seemed. 

Within the lodge-room led, such queer surprises 
He sees, and unique shapes, and strange disguises, 
That, from his head, each hair in terror rises. 

While dancing, circling round, as at a ball, 
A host of rams and goats prance at right of him. 
While ugly vampire imps obscure the sight of him, 
And each thing seems to long for a big bite of him. 

He tries to shout for help, yet cannot call. 

Great coffins round on nimble legs are rushing. 

While skeletons and cross-bones 'gainst him are brush- 
ing, 

And monstrous goats his aching bones are crushing; 
They stand him on his head and swiftly whirl him : 

They lamb him, they ram him, slam, bang and cram 
him; 

They burn him, in a boiling cauldron churn him ; 

They cook him one side, and then deftly turn him. 
And all around the room they roughly hurl him. 

They mock him and rock him, 

They nick him and lick him, 
They sock him and knock him, 

They prick him and kick him ; 
He tries to escape ; they quickly o'ertake him, 

And cruelly shake him ; 
They flounce him and bounce him; 
On gridirons bake him, 
Great Scott ! how they trounce him ! 
Till all hope and strength completely foresake him. 

137 



For, gathered around him, 
i hey closely surround him, 
Still pound him and wound him, 

And fill him with fear ; 
His trousers are chawed up, 
His coat and vest gnawed up. 
His whole body clawed up, 

His end must be near. 
As roughly they down him, and o'er and o'er 
They nag him and drag him and mop up the floor, 
From head to foot he is wounded and sore, 
And he knows he'll soon land on the beautiful shore. 

But at this crisis he hears some one calling; 
Then fearful the drop ! down, down he is falling, 
Descending through space, and, oh, how appalling ! 

And hears, as he falls, loud laughter, and roar : 
When op'ning his eyes quite suddenly woke up — 
He gazes around him, thoroughly broke up. 

Finds from his chair he has rolled to the floor. 

"Wake up, my dear fellow !" 

Says a voice kind and mellow ; 
"Hope you're not hurt, though you've had a rough slip ; 

For we wait to initiate. 

And now will officiate. 
And teach you the doctrines of Odd Fellowship." 

But it seemed so amazing. 

As the man was still gazing. 

His eyes fairly blazing 
He cried in a voice, indignant and rough, 

"To Halifax tramp you ! 

Or ril flog you, you scamps, you ! 

And down you and stamp you ! 
I tell you I've been through more than that, enough!" 

But soom he condenses 
His wide-scattered senses. 
Finds he's been gazing through mere slumber's lenses 
Then with smiling consent, 
And perfect content, 



138 



Receives and says, of our lessons so grand, 

"Whate'er way you take it, 

None ever can make it 
Less than the noblest and best in the land." 

And now in conclusion, 

With little dilfusion, 

Or circumlacut-ion, 
All hail, all hail to our grand institution ! 

To every true member. 

Each year to December, 
She teaches this lesson which all should remember. 

How the lone trav'ler 'mong robbers did fall, 

Who wounded and bruised him, and stripped him of 

all. 
How Priest and Levite, though of his own race, 
Passed the poor man without pitying grace. 

But a despised Samaritan journeyed that way, 
With heav'nly compassion came where he lay, 
All helpless and wounded, in deepest despair, 
And bound up his wounds in tenderest care. 

The poor and unfortunate, 

With needs so importunate, 
He tenderly took on his beast to an inn; . 

Gave money and labor. 

And like a true neighbor, 
His deeds were kindly from kindness within. 
W^ho was the neighbor to him in sore need? 
He who showed mercy by merciful deed. 

Likewise to another. 

Deal thou with thy brother ! 
This grandest of all our life's lessons heed! 

Founded on principle, 

Strong and invincible. 
Good Samaritan Lodge no foe can destroy ! 

Heav'ns bliss shall attend her ! 

Jehovah defend her ! 
May favors to her be without alloy! . 

Fifty years have passed over us, 

Yet our Lodge stands more glorious; 
We love her ! we bless her ! we hail her with joy ! 



139 



THE SEA IN A STORM. 
By Ai.e;x. S. Arnoi^d. 

Low in the west appeared the threatening cloud, 
Hemmed by the sun with silv'ry hue and goid, 

Unfolding and inclosing like a shroud, 

As high across the heavens it darkly rolled. 

Then wild winds whistle in their onward path ; 

The floods descend upon the troubled sea ; 
The storm breaks forth in all its fearful wrath,— 
For ever when it wills, it must be free. 

No power can give its fury bounds save one, 

In whose right hand the mighty seas are weighed. 

Who said, "Thus far, no farther shalt thou come, 
And here, O deep, shall thy proud waves be stayed 

And hour by hour, the rolling waves appaling., 
Rising, falling. 

Fiercely toiling. 

Madly boiling. 
All their mighty power employing. 

Hugely and rudely enjoying 

The prospect of destroying, — 
As once when Galilee was fiercely stirred. 

And Christ's disciples shrank with horror filled, 
And woke our Saviour, whose rebuking word 

Went forth, and all the angry waves were stilled: 
But now no power divine the sea controls. 
And as it will the mighty water rolls. 

See, amid the lightning's flashing. 
That helpless vessel dashing. 
Its planks and timbers crashing. 
The strong wave splashing. 
And fiercely gnashing. 
The ship-sides lashing, 

Furious in awful glee, 
Sweeping the deck 

In wild jubilee. 
Till the sad wreck 



Uo 



No earthly power can save, 

Arid down beneath the wave 
She pkinges ; and the water 
And blast, with mocking laughter, 
Whistle and roar ; 

Billows racing, 

Interlacing, 

And embracing 
O'er and o'er 

The poor ill-fated barque we see no more. 
Her bolted walls of oak were in vain, 
And now she sleeps beneath the rolling Hiain. 

Ten thousand waves together flocking. 

At the seaweed tugging, 

Floating rubbish hugging, 

Loose spars lugging, 
Reeling, rocking, 
Interloccking, 
Each other knocking, 

Seething, heaving, 

And weaving 
Into spray and foam, 
Or towering like a dome, 

Upward darting. 

The water parting, 

Down it tumbles. 

Rumbles grumbles ; 

Ripples crushing. 

Sparkling, flushing. 

Darkling, rushing. 
As when Lake Erie sends its waters o'or 

The great Niagara with ceaseless tide. 
Hurls down in masses huge with trembling roar. 

And spreads in foam and spray its volume wide. 

See unnumbered fountains, 

Hills on hills forever onward going. 

Flowing, flowing, 
Range on range of swaying mountains, 

Blasts in anger blowing, 

White spray throwing. 



111 



From wave to wave sweeping, 
Skipping, leaping; 
Now uniting, 
Strviggling, fighting. 

Circling, dancing. 
Fiercely striving, 
And writhing; 

But e'er advancing, 
Diving driving, 
Till full on the distant rocky shore. 

Terrific vaulting, 
Charging with mighty shock and roar 

In mad assaulting ; 
The earth shaking, 
And quaking 

At the unwieldly lunging 
Of the ocean breaking 

With savage plunging ; 
As when the untamed cattle of the plain. 

All headlong surging, crowding, crazed witli fear, 
Plunge frantic on pell mell with might and main, 

Each other wound and kill in blind career. 

Again the billows break upon the land, 

In their raving. 

Grandly waving. 

Ceaseless laving, 
Tumbling, rumbling, washing up the sand ; 

Battling, waging 
In combat vast, 

Raging, engaging 
'Mid clarion blast ; 
And when the storm is past. 
Still, hour by hour, the surging billows roar 
More grandly, hugely than e'er before. — 
As when great boulders, rolled from mountain height, 

No longer need to feel the moving hand, 
But swifter rushing with increasing might. 

More fearful plough and plunge o'er trembling land 



142 



But every tempest, every storm must cease, 
However fierce and wild that tempest be, 

And all the raging billows rocked to sleep, 

For God's own calm shall rule the wide, wide, sea. 

And thus, O Lord, do thou all hearts control, 

And still sin's awful tempest in the soul ! 



143 



THE STORAI AND WRECK AT SEA. 

By Ai,e;xande;r Stre;eter Arnoi^d. 

While a Student at the Suffield Seminary, Connecticut., in 
1848. One of the Author's great disappointments was that he 
was not a sailor. 



On rippling seas our good ship rides, 
O'er many a wave she gently glides ; 
The stars and stripes unto our view 
Wave proudly in the upper blue. 

Flag of my country, wave forever ! 
Through wind and storm and battle never 
Will we desert thee, nor while yet 
Mem'ry lasts thy form forget. 
Beneath thy folds our fathers bled ; 
Before thy form the Briton fled, 
And in the port of many a land. 
Thy rights maintained by freedom's band, 
There shalt thou wave and on the sea 
Proclaim to all thy land is free. 

No cloud obscures the clear blue sky 
And brightly shines the summer's sun, 

The western breeze blows gently by. 
Ripples the sea and wafts us on. 

Ah, how our noble shij:) moves on! 
She bears me to my distant home. 
And there in my New England cot 
The dangers past but ne'er forgot 
And scenes of joy, these I'll relate 
To list'ning friends, O happy fate ! 



144 



Yet with friends in a land so free 
My steadfast heart will long for thee 
Thou noble ship manned by the brave 
On sparkling seas and bounding wave. 
Let others through the forest roam 
The changing sea shall be my home ; 
Let others dwell in cities gay, 
I'll live where Neptune holds his sway. 

The scene changes to one of fear, 
To rising dangers far and near; 
Dark clouds obscure the western sky 
Whose mut't'rings tell of tempests nigh, 
While sailors care each sail and rope 
To ward the dreadful tempest's stroke. 

With quick'ning speed the clouds move on 
And soon shut out the gladd'ning sun ; 
Lightnings play, thunder rolls and soon 
The rain like a deluge comes down. 
The clear, blue sky is no longer seen, 
But o'er its pleasant face is drawn 
A curtain, formed of many a cloud. 
That folds around us like a shroud. 
The late ripples, which gently played, 
Are grown to foaming, mountain waves : 
The howling blast has rent her sail ; 
Yet the good old ship still braves the gale, 
And nobly mounts the giddy wave, 
Then plunges down as to her grave ; 
Tho' now walled in by angry main 
The wave she bravely mounts again : 
Poised for an instant in 'mid air, 
Her sails are rent, her keel half bare. 
The naked mammoth, with a groan. 
Leaves the summit and dashes on. 

Forked lightnings dart and from cloud to cloud, 
Peal on peal thunder echoes loud ; 
The sailor blind with streams of fire, 

His ears stunned while thunders roll. 
He gazes on confusion dire 

While fear and trembling sieze his soul. 



145 



The ship has struck on a hidden rock, 
She springs a leak at the awful shock : 
"She sinks ! she sinks !" upon the air 
Now swell the cries of fell despair. 
They start back at the vivid flash, 

See objects all in lightning bathe, 
The tall mast sways with quiv'ring crash, 

Reels and rocks to the ocean wave. 
Yet in despair man fights for life. 

With failing strength he struggles on, 
Nor slacks his strain and stroke and strife 

Until the battle's lost or won. 
Tho' many meet a wat'ry grave, 

The few, by skill or strength or chance, 
Still breast the seething, whelming wave 

And to the shore yet make advance : 
The crew the surging sea have braved ; 

But fortune seems to smile on few; 
Tho' but a remnant small are saved 

Let us in God our faith renew — 
And trust, 'mid life and death's alarms, 
We rest in everlasting arms f 



146 



BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

By Alex. S. Arnold. 
Brave Yankee Push and Spanish Slow 
Our Dewey bold and Montojo, 

In warships on the ocean, 
At morning's dawn, the first of May, 
Met in fair Manila Bay, 
And at each other shot away 

In horrible commotion. 

But soon blew up a Spanish ship, 
She quickly took her last sea trip, 

Another went below; 
And shot and shell went whistling there 
And shouts and war-cries rent the air, 
While shrieks and groans of fell despair 

Burst from the Spanish foe. 

"Remember the Maine !" shout our tars, 
And battle on like sons of Mars 

All through the fight that day, 
Until the combat fierce was done. 
Till silent every Spanish gun, 
Until the vict'ry Yankees won 

In fair Manila Bay. 

Let history those deeds record, 
Americans the triumph laud, 

And poets sing their worth, 
How on that day our Dewey's name 
Was written on the scroll of fame. 
And how another shot aflame 

Was heard around the earth. 

Our nation came from glor'ous stock, 
From Jamestown and old Plymouth Rock 
And though assailed by tempest shock 

Unmoved shall stand for aye ! 
And generations yet unborn 
Shall chant unceasing freedom's song 
And sing of that bright May-day morn 

In fair Manila Bay. 



147 



THE GATES OF HEAVEN NEVER CLOSED. 

By Alexander S. Arnold, 
Woonsocket, R. I. 

"Behold, Now is the Accepted Time," — 2 Cor. 6:2. 
"And the gates of it shall not be shut at all 
by day; for there is no night there." — Rev. 21:25. 

Nor God, nor Christ, nor angels ever close 
The gates of pearl, but ever open wide, 

Inviting all to peace and sweet repose. 

And loving angels greet the coming tide ; 

No temple towers within the heavenly light 

Reflected in the golden streets so bright ! 

Each sad, repentant prodigal shall come. 

And his good Father will that soul forgive ; 

All the heart broken shall at last reach home, 

Look in the Saviour's face, be healed and live ; 

There'll be rejoicing among angels bright 

As each poor wanderer enters into light ! 

Within the jasper walls there is no night. 

And there they need no candle, sun or star ; 

For God and Christ are the unfailing light 
To guide the groping wand'rer from afar ; 

And each lost soul, however sad his lot. 

Shall yet be found by One who fainteth not ! 

Tho' earth may pass there'll be no anxious morrow ; 

For one Lnmortal NOW shall e'er remain ; 
No cloud shall dim that day with hopeless sorrow ; 

For wand'rers then shall hear the glad refrain : 
"It is always NOW in this better clime ! 
Behold Now, NOW is the Accepted Time!" 



148 



For Jesus said, "Ye must be born again !" 

"Thou shalt love God and every neighbor love!" 

These prophecies, fulfilled in all, shall reign 

When great Jehovah bears his arm above; 

No place made he to foster vice in men ; 

For God, through Christ, shall make an end of sin! 

To those, who disbelieve God's great salvation 

Beyond the gates of death, what rapture theirs 

When they shall learn that God, in every station, 
Still hates all sin throughout unending years ! 

And will not suffer us to rest in sin, 

But in all souls the cleansing work begin ! 

For God hates every sin with boundless wrath, 
And so shall banish vice from every soul. 

And all shall walk within his hallowed path. 
And pure and spotless reach the final goal, 

The last poor wand'rer gladly tread the way 

That leads from sinful dark to heavenly day! ' 



149 



ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND. 



By Alexander S. Arnold, 



'Twas night, and high winds blew o'er Galilee, 
The frail barque tossed upon the heaving sea, 
When, o'er the dashing waves, amid the storm, 
The weary rowers there beheld a form 
Walk the mad waters with majestic tread, 
Which filled their fearful hearts with anxious dread. 
When lo ! the Saviour's voice their fears allayed, 
*'Be of good cheer," he said, " 'tis I, be not afraid." 

Remember Jesus' words when dangers rise, 

And when our faith our Heavenly Father tries, 

We are not friendless, Jesus ever lives. 

And, to the poor and needy, succor gives. 

And when from these great burdens called away. 

Repine not at the call, or long to stay ; 

Remember Jesus' words, (be not dismayed,) 

"Be of good cheer," he said, " 'tis I, be not afraid." 

Mourn not that death has borne our friend away. 

He waits for us in realms of endless. day. 

A brother, son and friend has journeyed home; 

A brother, son and friend is still our oii'ii. 

Methinks I still can hear the Saviour's voice. 

That, through the dark valley, made his heart rejoice. 

(For Jesus' hand upon our friend was laid,) 

"Be of good cheer," he said, " 'tis I, be not afraid." A. 



150 



TO A LADY ON HER HUNDREDTH BIRTH- 
DAY. 

By Alex. S. Arnold. 

A hundred years have fled since that blest morn, 
A hundred years since on the mother's sight 
A lovely little baby girl was born 

And filled the mother's heart with fond delight ; 
The darkness, pain and sorrow passed away, 
All, all forgotten on that blissful day! 

The father smiled upon the baby girl, 

Who nestled on her loving mother's breast; 

They led her feet through this devious world 
To make a foretaste of the land of rest ; 

A hundred years since that girl baby's birth, 

And still she lingers with dear friends on earth! 

What great events have come to all our race 

While she has journeyed on this earthly road ; 

Yet but a visit a mere stopping-place 
On the way to a permanent abode ; 

She has been faithful 'mid earth's smiles and tears; 

Yea, loved and loving for a hundred years. 

The beauty of her girlhood long has fled. 
And yet her aged face retains its charm. 

An added glory came to her instead, 

Like rippling ocean rocked and lulled to calm ; 

When loosed life's cord and breaks the golden 
bowl. 

Then fill, O Lord, with peace her loving soul ! 



151 



TAKE THIS FOR YOUR MOTTO. 
By Alex. S. Arnold, VVoonsocket, R. I., 1886. 



As we pass through the world, what troubles we 

borrow ! 
For we laden each day with the cares of the morrow, 
While millions on millions of people, I fear. 
Add most of the burdens of next week and next year, 
When had they but faith in God and his Son, 
They would live in the sunshine till duties are done, 

Take this for your motto. The Lord knoweth best! 

In his perfect goodness and wisdom we'll rest ! 

Some folk think the Lord was sadly mistaken 

In creating souls so very misshapen : 

Could they but have taken the matter in hand, 

All men had been made quite perfect and grand ; 

No need of a Saviour foul sin to meet ; 

For now he must suffer and suffer defeat ! 

Take this for your motto. The Lord knoweth best ! 

In his perfect goodness and wisdom we'll rest ! 

When God made the world and all things therein. 
He made ample means to conquer all sin : 
Though in sin and trespasses all men were dead. 
King Jesus shall yet crush the foul serpent's head ; 
He will save all from sinning, the vict'ry shall win. 
And then Lord of all we'll crown Jesus King! 

Take this for your motto. The Lord knoweth best ! 

In his perfect goodness and wisdom we'll rest ! 

Away with all doubting ! For God and His Son 
Shall faint not nor weary till triumph is won I 
For Christ shall vet vanquish all sin and all pain. 
And victor bells ring out again and again ! 
Then arm and take courage ! and enter the fight ! 
And fight like a hero the battles of life! 

Take this for your motto, The Lord knoweth best ! 

In his perfect goodness and wisdom we'll rest! 



152 



SOMETIMES I SEEM TO HEAR. 

By Alex. S. Arnold, 1886. 

Sometimes I seem to hear a heavenly strain 
That whispers to the soul with sound so sweet ! 

And if I heed the voice it comes again, 

And we like old-time friends each other greet. 

'Tis then all doubt departs and faith is bright ; 

'Tis then in perfect faith I see the end, 
When all the universe is filled with light, 

And all souls worship God as Father Friend. 

If men but knew that God was the Supreme, 
And knew our Father's boundless, endless love. 

Foul sins their fears and sore distress would seem, 
And they would look with faith to God above. 

Have faith in God, the Father and the Son, 
That every discord shall be purged away. 

Through Christ the Lord the vict'ry shall be won. 
And harmony in love all souls shall sway. 

And victor palms shall all the angels bring, 
No sinful discord shall that peace alloy. 

The sons of God shall shout, the stars shall sing, 
And all the bells of heaven ring out with joy! 



153 



THE STAR THAT ROSE IN BETHLEHEM. 

By Alexander Streeter Arnold. 

God's glory e'er the heavens declare, 
And all the planets shining there, 

And every twinkling starry gem; 
One Star, more clear than all above, 
Proclaims the story of God's love — 

The Star that rose in Bethlehem ! 

The nations lay in hopeless gloom. 
And sad and dark their seeming doom, 

When flashed God's Royal Diadem ; 
That Star above all others bright, 
To flood all souls with heavenly light — 

The Star that rose in Bethlehem ! 

A'nd, 1:hrough the earth that Star shone on, 
Through love immortal vict'ries won ; 

It shines the tide of sin to stem : 
For what shall sin and mis'ry stay? 
And what bring Universal Day? 

The Star that rose in Bethlehem! 

Shine on, thou Star of stars sublime, 
Till light and love reach every clime, 

Till every soul shall hail that gem ! 
The purest light to mortals given, 
The one pure light sent down from heaven — 

The Star that rose in Bethlehem ! 



i.u 



THE KINGDOM OF OUR GOD IS HERE. 

By Alex. S. Arnold. Tune: Cleansing Fountain. 
"And I, John, saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, 
coming down from God out of heaven." — Rev. 21 : 2. 

The Kingdom of our God is here 

Within our hearts to reign, 
To free from error, doubt and fear, 

And every Soul unchain ! 

Jerusalem, the city bright. 

Is with us here today ; 
Oh, dwell within its golden light. 

And own its heavenly sway ! 

Its pearly gates are open wide; 

Oh, enter now the fold. 
Your heavy burdens cast aside, 

And walk the streets of gold ! 



155 



WHERE IS THY HOME? 

By Alexander Streeter Arnold. 

Tune : Missionary Chant. 

Where is thy home, thy heavenly home? 
From which thou ne'er wilt long to roam, 
Except when love and duty call 
To save the lost from Sin's foul thrall? 

My home, my heavenly home shall be 
Where friends I love shall dwell with me ; 
For if they dwell not in the light, 
All homeless I 'mid splendors bright ! 

Bereft of friends what were my crown 
Which could not heal, but deeper wound? 
What all the splendors I may see? 
A gilded prison-house to me ! 

Where boundless love of God they sing, 
Where He at last all men shall bring. 
Where friends and kindred I shall see, 
In love and joy my home shall be! 



156 



CREATION. 

By Alexander Strceter Arnold. 

God made the heavens, He made the earth, 
And hght and darkness gave He birth, 
Milhons of years 'fore man was born, 
The first great day — Creation's dawn ! 

The second day. at God's command, 
The air we breathe was made for man; 

The third day made He seas and land. 
The flowers and trees and mountains grand. 

The fourth appeared the sun and moon, 
And stars to cheer the midnight gloom; 

The fifth day birds that fly so free, 
And fish and whales that swim the sea; 

The sixth day cattle gave He birth, 
And beasts and creeping things of earth, 
And then, to end his wonderous plan, 
In His own image made He man. 

In six long periods all was done, — 
Not days that last from sun to sun 
But long, vast days : and on each day 
A thousand ages passed away! 



157 



WHEN STORMS ARISE! 

When storms arise and dark the skies, 
AVhen joys are turned to dust, 

With faith ablaze through clouds I gaze; 
Jehovah is my trust! 

Though pain and gloom my daily doom. 
Though sore His chastening rod. 

Beyond his frown I see my crown ; 
My refuge is in God! 

Though friends and foes alike oppose, 

And dangers round me roll, 
'Mid each alarm with heavenly calm 
Abounds my .steadfast soul ! 

When o'er the brink of death I sink, 

I still will look above ; 
Beyond the grave my Lord shall save — 

Jehovah, God of love ! 



158 



PEACEMAKERS. 

By Alex. S. Arnold. 

How blest is he whose earthly life, 
Devoid of hate and sinful strife. 
Is but a constant walk each day, 
Where our Great Master led the way! 

While pressing for the heavenly crown. 
Unmoved by all the world's dread frown, 
He meets life's contests ever bold. 
And loves his duty more than gold ! 

With heart and soul staid on his God, 
And thankful for his smile and rod 
He, from his large or scanty store, 
W^ith loving hand deals with the poor. 

How truly blest, how happy he! 
No slave of sin and self, but free 
To serve mankind and serve the Lord, 
And finds therein a rich reward! 



159 



ADVENT: THE VICTOR CAMIC! 
By Alex. S. Arnold. 

The Victor came! No trumpet blast 
Announced him rightful King of earth; 

One star its light o'er Judea cast, 
And angels sung his lowly birth. 

The Victor came ! To conquer sin 

He marshalled all the powers of God ; 

His blessed kingdom ushered in 

And scattered good wher'er he trod. 

The Victor came! Our love he craved, 
And bore with sin and sufifered long, 

But saw in faith a lost world saved 
From love of self and love of wrong. 

The Victor came! Not one defeat 
Shall tinge the universe with sliamc : 

All souls reclaimed, with ln\'c rci:)lcte, 
Shall sing with joy, "The Victor came !" 



160 



COULD I BUT LIVE MY EARTH-LIFE O'ER AGAIN 1 
By AirEXANDER S. ArnoeDj Woonsocket, R. I. 

Could I but live my earth-life o'er again, 
Then would I banish more of earthly pain, 
And lessen heart-aches with a kindly smile, 
And loving ways which should the heart beguile 
The sad soul which had dormant lain. 
Could I but live my earth-iife o'er again ! 

Could I but live my earth-life o'er again. 
Then would I visit haunts of sin and shame. 
And win the straying back to things of worth, 
That they might taste again the bliss of earth : 
I would not pass my days and years in vain, 
Could I but live my earth-life o'er again ! 

Could I but live my earth-life o'er again. 
Then would I seek true bliss and shun the bane ; 
Of all life's harvests I would reap the best, 
And only loving thoughts should fill my breast, 
And high and low should through my life be blest 
My zeal for truth and right should never wane 
Could I but live my earth-life o'er again ! 

Could I but live my earth-life o'er again, 
I would — would — No, I should not live the same , 
For then I might not live one-half as good, 
■ And fall a thousand times where I have stood ; 
I should avoid a thousand risks I've run, 
And risk a score for each avoided one ; 
There might be fearful loss for every gain, 
Could I but live my earth-life o'er again' 



161 



Could I but live my earth-life o'er again, 
And know, as now I know, what cares and pain 
And patient sacrifice, to bring success, 
Would be required I might do less : 
And so I bless our Father I knew not. 
And bless Him that He, not I, cast my lot ; 
And knowing my past earthly bliss and bane, 
I would not live my earth-life o'er again! 

But should you younger wish to try once more, 
To see how well you'd live your earth-life o'er, 
At twenty, thirty, forty, 'mid bliss and bane, 
Perhaps you'll live it once or twice again ; 
Yea, e'en at fifty you can take your chance, 
And test how much you can life's good enhance ; 
For all of us could much improve the past, 
And wear a heavenly crown while life shall last ; 
Yea, we could choose more good or choose the bane, 
Could we but live our earth-life o'er again ! 

Not going to heaven, be our earnest strife. 
But live in heaven during our earthly life ; 
Yea, let us tread earth's paths in faith and love 
Until our Father summons us above 
Where we shall plainly see, with all the rest. 
That God knew just how many lives were best. 
And gave but one. Then freed from sin and pain 
Not one would live his earth-life o'er again! 



162 



DOING GOOD TO OTHERS. 

NOW AND FOREJ'ERMORE. 

By Alexander S. Arnold. 

(Written in liis Eighty-First Year.) 

"Let us not love in word; but in deed and in truth." — 
John 2; IS. 

"Have faith in God."— Mark 11:22. 

"I will show thee my faith 'hy my works." — Jas. 2:18. 

"We are the offspring of God. In Him we live and move 
and have our being." — Acts 10:38. 

"Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is 
the Day of Salvation."— 2 Cor. 6:2. 

Great Moses was the friend of God because the 

friend of man, 
The friend of God's beloved sons enslaved in Egypt's 

land ; 
His name shall stand forevermore upon the scroll of 

fame 
]\Iore glorious and honored shall be his unselfish 

name; 
And with him all the great and good who truly love 

their brothers, 
And prove their love for God and man by doing good 

to others ! 

^^"hen Jesus from the Father came, to seek and save 

the lost, 
He found his Father's children slaves of sin. and 

tempest tost ; 
He did not come to cure the well, nor come the saved 

to save. 
But for God's offspring, sick with sin, his life he 

freely gave : 
W'hen publicans and sinners came h» welcomed them 

as brothers ; 
He came, not seeking self or fame, but doing good 

to others ! 

His mission now and evermore has but this single 

aim — 
To seek and save the lost irom lOve of sin and self 

and shame ; 



163 



For Jesus is the same today, and yesterday, forever, 

To save the lost from love of wrong unceasing his 
endeavor ; 

And as the ages roll no pow'r his boundless kind- 
ness smothers, 

Yea, Jesus Christ shall evermore be doing good to 
others ! 

Yet selfish souls imagine bliss to be mere selfish 

pleasure, 
And heaven itself a selfish joy, God's pearl a selfish 

treasure; 
But such a miscalled heaven would be a hell of sin 

and self, 
Where selfishness would reign supreme bereft of all 

true wealth ; 
Salvation is from sin and self when we shall act as 

brothers ; 
For heavenly bliss consists in ever doing good to 

others ! 

And were it possible for us to reach those realms 

above. 
And then neglect the saving work perfonuod 

through purest love. 
The angels all would mourn for us as prodigals 

astray. 
Beseech us that we turn from self to God's unselfish 

way ; 
The highest state in all God's realm is lo\ing all mir 

brothers ; 
The purest bliss of all in heaven is doing good to 

others ! 



164 



And when we reach those realms of love where all 

the good abide, 
We'll sing of Moses and the Lamb with all that 

countless tide ; 
And join the call to all astray, to sinners in all climes: 
"Behold NOW is Salvation's Day, NOW Accepted 

time !" 
For in that ENDLESS NOW we'll seek and save our 

needy brothers. 
Fulfill the royal law of love in doing good to others ! 

Then let us all begin on earth that love without alloy — 
A heaven in which to go to heaven and reap God's 

highest joy ! 
In following the golden rule find bliss in all such labor. 
Obey in spirit Moses' law of love to God and neighbor ! 
And thus obey from day to day our duties to our 

brothers, 
Enjoy the bliss of heaven below by doing good to 

others ! 



105 



IN THE LONG-RUN. 

A Gospel Temperance Poem. 

By Alex. S. Arnold, Woonsockct, R. I. 

In the Long-Rmi never count the cost 

Of doing good tho others use you ill; 
Aye, goodness to one's foes is never lost ; 

But rich rew^ard our heart and soul shall fill : 
There's no haphazard luck regarding fate ; 
For heaven abides with those pure souls that z^'ait 
In the long-run. 

In the long-run it surely pays to be kind, 

Tho some are always found who scoff and mock ; 

Yet those who deride but seeming pleasure find 
While loving-kindness stands on solid rock : 

Man's worst estate is loving merely self, 

While loving hearts and deeds prove richest w^ealth 
In the long-run. 

In the long-run the heedless, selfish heart 

Finds false fawners among the godless crew ; 

But he who kindly acts his manly part 

Shall stand among God's chosen, good and true ; 

While vicious joys are, at the -c'cry best, 

E'en like the troubled sea which cannot rest 
In the long-run. 

In the long-run it don't pay to sell rum. 

Through strong drink to drag our neighbors down ; 

For in due time the dav shall surely come 

When justice shall on our wrong-doing frown: 

Our households may invite the serpent in, 

With awful judgment for our awful sin 
In the long-run. 



166 



In the long-run it don't pay to look on, 

And see one's neighbor by strong drink brought low 
Without one protest 'gainst the evils done, 

Unmindful of our neighbor's weal or woe: 
Christ for the good of others lived and died ; 
It richly pays to follow the crucified 
In the long-run. 

In the long-run the temp'rance hosts shall lead 
Both North and South to stamp out rum and wine. 

And our Pacific slope shall feel the need 
With NoFth and South to fall in line, 

And bring the world nearer the golden day ; 

For rum and sin's dark night shall flee away 
In the long-run. 

In the long-run rum shall surely go down, 

And Temp'rance rise to the very top and stay, 

And only Total- Abstinence be found; 

For God is sov'reign and shall have his way : 

Tlien, seeing as we're seen, in God's pure rays, 

We'll know he's just and good and goodness pays 
In the long-run. 

For in the long-run Jehovah, Lord of hosts, 

Shall show the world he doeth all things well. 

\\'hile those who live by sin and make their boast 
Shall know there is a God in Israel ! 

And rum and beer no longer souls destroy ; 

But drunkards' wives and children sing, for joy 
In the long-run. 

Aye, in the Short-Run, with rich faith in God, 
And loving others tho but half returned; 

Such blessed paths, tho often sadly trod. 

Teach heavenly lessons elsewhere never learned : 

Remember this : If life were but one day ! 

To be good and do good would g'andly pay 
In the short-run! 



167 



JEHOVAH, GOD, SHALL BE MY ROCK! 

By Alex. S. Arnold. 
(Tune : — Kirke.) 

Jehovah, God, shall be my Rock ! 

My sun, my shield shall e'er endure 
No storm, nor flood, nor earthquake shock 

Shall from His love my soul allure ! 

Should man against my soul engage, 
To break my steadfast trust in God, 

Unmoved by all earth's strength and rage, 
I still would lean upon His rod ! 

And tho on those I hold most dear 

Should death in darkest form descend, 

I yet would trust, without one fear, 
In God their never-failing friend! 

Through howling storm and thunder loud 

I see his kindness still above ; 
My faith shall pierce the darkest cloud, 

And rest secure upon his love ! 



KiS 



THE PRODIGAL SON. 
By Alex. S. Arnold. 

The poor, foolish prodigal, longing to roam, 

Abandoned his father and wandered from home; 

In riotous living his substance did go ; 

Then homesick and starving, his heart did o'er flow. 

Refrain : O sinner, dear sinner, in folly why roam 

Away from thy father, and plenty, and home ? 
Return, O return to his bountiful store 
Of love, joy and gladness and wander no 
more. 

For home, and its comforts his sad heart did burn, 

And said, ''To my dear father's house I'll return ; 

I've greviously sinned against heaven and thee. 

And now from my wand'rings in folly I flee." 

Refrain: O sinner, dear sinner, etc. 

The father a great way off saw his loved boy, 
And ran to him gladly and kissed him, with joy, 
Put on the best robe and fatted calf slew. 
While blessings descended like heavenly dew. 
Refrain : O sinner, dear sinner, etc. 

And when the last prodigal turns to the Lord, 
Repenting his folly, obeying God's Word, 
The great human family, all gathered in 
So blessedly saved from the folly of sin! 
Refrain : O sinner, dear sinner, etc. 

For however far his own loved boy may roam, 
The Father rejoices to welcome him home; 
There's joy among angels again and again. 
And heaven's high arches all echo the strain : 
Refrain : O sinner, dear sinner, in folly why roam 

Away from thy father and plenty and home? 
Return, O return to his bountiful store 
Of love, joy and gladness and wander no 
more. 



169 



GLORY, HALLELUJAH SERVICE. 

Hymn No. 155 Hymns of Joy, 

By Alex. S. Arnold, October, 1876- 

Leader: Long, long ago the angels sung his birth, 

, But now he dwells at God's right hand above ; 
Yet humbly as a servant came to earth, 

To show the whole lost world Our Father's love: 
But Bethlehem's babe, who came so meek anl lowy, 
Is King; for Jesus reigns the Lord of Glory! 

Congregation Sing : Jesus reigns the Lord of Glory, 
Jesus reigns the Lord of Glory, 
Jesus reigns the Lord of Glory, 
Our Savior, King of Kings ! 

Leader: Vain man may strive, but ever strive in vain 
To raise his soul to purity and bliss ; 
Made subject to vanity's most galling chain. 

All powerless he sinks to sin's abyss : 
Then follow Christ; press on, and do not waver; 
For know that Jesus is our only Savior! 

Congregation Sing : Jesus is our only Savior, 
Jesus is our only Savior, 
Jesus is our only Savior, 
Our Savior King of Kings ! 

Leader: Pride goes before a fall in sin and shame. 
The haughty spirit and the lofty look ; 
Ambitious worldlings set the world aflame, 

Yet pass away e'en as the babbling brook : 
But he, who leans on Christ, his truth shall nerve liim: 
O say then, Hu)nbly, brothers, will you serve him ? 

Congregation Sing: Humbly, brothers, will you serve him? 
Humbly, brothers, will you serve him ? 
Humbly, brothers, will you serve hira? 
Our Savior, King of Kings? 

Leader: All o'er life's sea and dashing tide. 

Amid temptation's surging sea of life. 
Where'er we go, on land or ocean wide. 

We meet with clouds and storms of earthly strife: 
There's but one source of rest ; take Jesus with you. 
And ever Rest and peace zvithin he'll giz'e you. 

Congregation Sing: Rest and peace within he'll give yon. 
Rest and peace within lie'l] give you. 
Rest and peace within he'll give you. 
Our Savior King of Kings! 



170 



Leader: Who so denieth Christ before his fellow men, 
Him will our Savior to his God deny ; 
As Peter, who denied his Lord, and then 

Was by his Lord denied 'fore God Most TTiqli ! 
Such was Christ's warning; ponder well the story! 
We pray you, Don't reject the Lord of Glory! 

Coiigref^afion Sing: Don't reject the Lord of Glory, 
Don't reject the Lord of Glory, 
Don't reject the Lord of Glory, 
Our Savior King of Kings ! 

Leader : Let others trust in silver, worship gold. 

Let heathen serve their gods of wood and stone; 

Who seeks for good outside the Christian fold. 
Reaps the poor fruitage of the seed thus sown ; 
But we will work where richer harvests gather; 

For gladly We will serve our loving Savior! 

Congregation Sing : We will serve our loving Savior, 
We will serve our loving Savior, 
We will serve our loving Savior, 
Our Savior King of Kings ! 

Leader: Vain, utter vain the arm of rebel man! 

How weak the gods set up by human power! 
Nor sin, nor vice, nor wickedness "shall stand; 

Their glitters vanish like the passing hour ! 
For, freed from sin, we all shall gather round him; 
Rejoicing Lord of all we yet shall crown him; 

Congregation Sing : Lord of all we yet shall crown him, 

Lord of all we yet shall crown him. 
Lord of all we yet shall crown him. 
Our Savior King of Kings ! 



171 



Allegretto 



Battle Hymn of Anti-Vivisection. 

Dedicated to Mrs. Diana Belais. 
By Alexander Streeter Arkold, Woonsocket, R. I. 
Author of Various Hebrew Poems. 






S=tJSS=i=? 




We're bat-tling and we're watch-ing 
The beau - ty of blest char - i ■ 
Of cru - el - ty and need - less 
Our Mo - loch VI - vi - sec - tion 
A - lar - um bells are toll - ing; 



for the bright and heav'n-ly day When 

ty is shin-ing from on high, The 

pain let ev - 'ry soul be- ware, To 

■ ists are trem-bling with af - fright All 

let us haste with fly - ing feet; The 

^ 1^ N 




9ii' 



on all hid - den cru - el - ty shall shine truth's searching ray, When se - cret cells for 

Sun of Righteousness, a - ris - ing gilds the morn- ing sky, Pro-claim-ing that sweet 

bird and beast our God of Love com - mit - ted to our care; Re - mem-ber as we 

fear-ful that their se- cret deeds are com- ing to the light; For Vi - vi - sec- tion 

Lord of Hosts is with us and we can -not know de- feat; With vie - tor hal- 

-•-• -•- -•-. ^ 

u, — h — ^ — b — y^, — h — 1^ — [-»- — » — »- — » — • — •— h»-^-» — »-^-»- 

■ Vr - 




torturing God's creatures pass a-way; For God is marching onl 

pity for God's creatures shall not die;For God is marching on! 

treat these wards at Justice's barwe'U farel For God is marching on! 

hides a -way and flees from public sight; For God is marching onl 

lelujahs we shall soon each oth-er greet; For God is marching on! 

^ 



-ry, gIo-ry,hal- 



f-t- 



-I — 
-•- 



I (--I 1 r-l i 

I — I — y-P — b*- ' 
\>' '^ V ^ P 






a-jah! Glory,glo-ry,hal-le 



lu - jah!Glo-iy,giory,hallelujahl ForGod is marching on! 






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172 



HARK! THE BELLS OF HEAVEN I 



Alex. S. Arnold. 




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( Hark Uhe bells of heaven are joy - M ring - ing; All the an-gels catch the 
■( This thier song.iu ho- ly rap-turewing-ing, Sounding o'er the dls-tant 

( Man was lost, in sin He dark-ly wandered, Crime and e- vil,viceand 
■ 1 O'er their sad es - tate the sa-ges poudered; Till they learned the Saviour's 

( Doubt no more the might - y Victor, Je - sus; He shall nev-er know de- 

I Ev - ery soul in pur - i - ty shall greet us Whenarouud the throne we 



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strain; 
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Come,ye mor-tals,and a-dore Him! 










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Ev - 'ry soul shall bow be-fore Him ! 



Glo - ry and hon - or 



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ren-der to Je - sus! Je - sus is our Vic - tor King! 









173 



WHERE, TELL ME WHERE. 

Freedom was bom when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egyptian bon 
dage, his cradle was rocked at Mount Sinai, and this Son of Jehovah waxea strong 
and attained his majority during his forty years in the wilderness. A. S. A. 
Alex. S. Arnold. " Tune, Blue Bells of Scotland." 



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1. where, tell me where 

2. where, tell me where 

3. where, tell me where 



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was the child of free-dom born ? 
was sweet Free-dom's era -die rocked ? 
did this child to man-hood come ? 

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O where, tell me where was the child of Free-dom born ? 
where, tell me where was sweet Free- dom's era - die rocked ? 
O where, tell me where did this child to man-hood come ? 

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When God rolled back the tide and made a pathway thro' the sea, 
Amid Mount Si-nai's sa - cred crags,whose sum-mit pierced the sky, 
While wan-der - ing full forty years, and led by cloud and flame, 

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And when great Mos - es led, and God's Is -ra - el was free! 
And Je - ho - vah pro-claimed, that sweet free-doin should not die 1 
And the proud liosts of sin shall e'er trem -ble at his name 



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174 



GONE ARE THE DAYS. 

"We love Him because He first loved us." John 4 : 19. 

" The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Lukk 19: 10. 
" Go after that which was lost till He find it." Luke 15: 4. 
Alex. S. Arnold. Stephen C. Foster. 




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Goue are the days when we knew not God was near, 
Our Vic-tor King the lost sheep came to find, 
We love the Lord be - cause He first lo^ed us,' 

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Gone are the days when we 
Our Vic-tor King not 
Gave us his Son to 



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kuew not He was dear, Gone are the days when our faith was tem-pest tost, 
one shall leave be-hind,Our Vic-tor King seeks ev-er those a-stray, 
lift us from the dust, We are the chil - dren of our End-less Friend, 



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But now we know our Sav-iour seeks and saves the lost! We're com-ing, we're coni-ing,our 
Not one de-feat shall cloud the light of end-less day! 
And He shall keep His need-y chil-dren to the end! 



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grate-f ul hearts we bring; Let ev - 'ry heart re-joice and praise oor Vic-tor Kingl 



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175 



Sabbath Bells. 

For Ordiuary Men's voices. 



Words by Alex. S. Arnold, 1890. 
Andante. 
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Arranged by A. S. A. 




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, I The days and years may pass a - way, And home and friends are gone, 
■ ^ For those dear scenes that meet our eyes,When we with loved ones dwell, 
When we for - get the les-sons dear, In Sab-bath homes we learn, 
With tho'ts of our Great Father's love. How high the bo-som swells 




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In far-off lands our feet may stray, 
Shall fol- low and 'neath other skies, 
A word or look will bring them near 
As memory lifts our tho'ts a - bove, 



V/e shall not walk a -lone. \ 
We hear the Sab-bath bells, f 
And ho - ly thoughts return : / 
We hear the Sab-bath bells! ( 



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Refrain. 

Rej)eat pianissimo. 



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those bells, 



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gain. We hear those bells. 



We hear their tuneful strains. 



We hear, 



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No. 220. The Creed of the Ninety and Nine. lis. 

The Universahst Confession of Faith, containing just 99 words, is sometimes called The 
Creed of the Ninety and Nine. 

"Words Copyrighted, 1908, by 
Tune, "Afton." Alex. S. Arnold, Woonsocket, R. I. 







1. With Learts all at - toned to the Spirit Di-viue,Come,chaQt ye the creed of the Ninety and Nine: — 

2. Tho" nine-ty and nine are all saie in the fold, And on-ly one lost in the darkness and cold, 

3. Each poor, weary sonl,heavy la-den with sin,Repentant and purified, Christ shall bring Id; 




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God's own hnly Scriptures oar faith shall def end;They teach us of God, and man's duty and end: 
Xo hireling the Shepherd to leave for the prey Of Sin's rav'ning wohes the poor soul gone astray; 
Then ho-ly and hap-py the ransomed shall sing The praises immortal of our Victor King; 




"We trust in Je-hovah whose nature is love. Revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ from above, 

"My heart,'"says the Shepliera-Ms tejider and true, "With love never-ending. e'er boundless and new; 

Then seek ye for holiness which shali endure, E'er joined with truehappiness,fadeless and pure; 

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By one Holy Spirit of truth and of grace — To holiness Christ shall restore our whole race. 
The needy and helpless and lost are all mine; I longfor them more than the ninety and nine."' 
O.practise good works and how ffreatvoar reward ITnete's profit and good in thus ser^■ing the Lord. 

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177 




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AUG 20 1913 



